Declaration of the Council of the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina on Peace in the Holy Land and the Rights of the Palestinian People

Declaration of the Council of the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina on Peace in the Holy Land and the Rights of the Palestinian People

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate

Based on the teachings of the Noble Qur'an:

وَاللَّهُ يَدْعُو إِلَىٰ دَارِ السَّلَامِ وَيَهْدِي مَنْ يَشَاءُ إِلَىٰ صِرَاطٍ مُسْتَقِيمٍ

"And Allah invites all to the Home of Peace and guides whoever He wills to the Straight Path." (Surah Yunus: 25)

مِنْ أَجْلِ ذَٰلِكَ كَتَبْنَا عَلَىٰ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ أَنَّهُ مَن قَتَلَ نَفْسًا بِغَيْرِ نَفْسٍ أَوْ فَسَادٍ فِي الْأَرْضِ فَكَأَنَّمَا قَتَلَ النَّاسَ جَمِيعًا وَمَنْ أَحْيَاهَا فَكَأَنَّمَا أَحْيَا النَّاسَ جَمِيعًا ۚ

And the words of the Almighty:

"That is why We ordained for the Children of Israel that whoever takes a life - unless as a punishment for murder or mischief in the land - it will be as if they killed all of humanity; and whoever saves a life, it will be as if they saved all of humanity. (Surah Al-Ma'idah: 32)

Taking into account the tradition of the Prophet (peace be upon him) narrated by Abu Sa'id al-Hudri (may Allah be pleased with him), in which he said, " Do not set out on a journey except for three Mosques i.e. The Holy Mosque in Mecca, the Distant Mosque in Jerusalem, and my mosque (in Medina)." (Narrated by Bukhari and Muslim)

Recalling the guarantees of Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) to the people of the book in the holy city of Jerusalem and centuries of peaceful coexistence among different religions within the framework of Muslim rule, but also acknowledging the dark period of the Crusades and conflicts over the holy land.

Invoking Article 68 of the Constitution of the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina (revised text) and Article 14 of the Rules of Procedure of the Council of the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Council of the Islamic Community, at its regular session held on December 23, 2023, corresponding to 10 Jumada al-Ukhra 1445 H., adopted:

DECLARATION ON PEACE IN THE HOLY LAND AND THE RIGHTS OF THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE

In this declaration, the Council of the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina states:

The Council of the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina calls for an immediate cessation of violence against civilians in Gaza and other parts of Palestine and the achievement of a lasting and just peace in the Holy Land.

The Council urges all international actors, Muslim leaders, and religious authorities of all faiths to engage resolutely in stopping the spiral of violence in the Holy Land, fostering peace not only between Palestine and Israel but also among the spiritual followers of the forefather of monotheism, Ibrahim (peace be upon him)/Abraham.

The Council strongly condemns attacks on civilians in the vicinity of Gaza and the taking of civilian populations as hostages, calling for their release, as well as the release of thousands of unlawfully detained individuals, especially women and children. Resistance to occupation cannot justify committing crimes, just as calling for the fight against terrorism cannot justify killing civilians and collective punishment. Every crime should be subject to independent investigations and legal proceedings.

The Council condemns the brutal attacks on civilians in Gaza and the indiscriminate destruction of civilian infrastructure, especially hospitals, schools, refugee camps, and the denial of food, water, medicines, medical services, and energy to civilians in Gaza, as well as the killing of media representatives.

The Council condemns the systematic violation of the human and civil rights of Palestinians in the occupied territories that has persisted for decades, and the establishment of apartheid against Palestinians both in Israel and the occupied territories.

The Council finds unacceptable plans for the displacement and persecution of Palestinians from Gaza and the occupation of their territory.

The Council fully supports the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, as confirmed by international law and numerous UN resolutions (such as UN General Assembly Resolution No. 73/158 of December 17, 2018, and others), including the right to establish a sustainable state.

The Council recalls the Statement adopted at the ninth regular session of the Council on December 23, 2017, regarding the unilateral attempt to change the status of the holy city of Jerusalem and condemns attacks on the Al-Aqsa Mosque and attempts to alter the status quo in the holy city of Jerusalem and other holy sites of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

The Council calls for the establishment and recognition of the state of Palestine and the acceptance of the Arab Peace Initiative from 2002, emphasizing the need for respect and preservation of the territorial unity and integrity of the entire occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, in accordance with UN General Assembly Resolution 58/292 of May 6, 2004. The Council condemns the systematic settlement of settlers in the occupied Palestinian territory.

The Council condemns the polarization, politicization, and spread of hatred that has followed the escalation of violence in Gaza and condemns any form of anti-Semitism and Islamophobia, emphasizing that the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina is determined to combat such phenomena in Bosnian society and in any society or state where the institutions and umbrella organizations of the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina operate.

The Council proudly highlights the rich heritage of the coexistence of Muslims and Jews in Bosnia and Herzegovina, their mutual care for each other, and its determination to preserve the values of Bosnian neighborhood and Islamic principles of dialogue and coexistence in diversity.