OIC Condemns Israeli move Aimed at Preventing Call to Prayer

OIC secretariat in Jeddah

OIC Condemns Israeli move Aimed at Preventing Call to Prayer

The General Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) condemns in the strongest terms the approval by the so-called “Israeli Knesset”, in its preliminary reading, of a draft law aimed at banning the call to prayer, known as the “Muezzin Law”. It considers this to be a null and void measure and a legislative crime of a discriminatory and racist nature, as well as a flagrant violation of freedom of religion and worship and of the cultural and religious rights guaranteed by the principles of international law and international human rights law.

The OIC General Secretariat emphasizes that this legislation represents a dangerous escalation within the context of a series of racist Israeli decisions, legislation, and measures aimed at restricting the Palestinian presence and targeting Arab and Islamic identity; it also constitutes a direct attack on the sanctity of religious rites and Islamic holy sites.

The General Secretariat emphasizes that any interference with the call to prayer constitutes a violation of international legal obligations, including the provisions of international law relating to civil and political rights, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and other relevant international instruments that guarantee the freedom to practice religious rites without discrimination or restriction.

The General Secretariat calls upon the international community, in particular the United Nations and its relevant bodies, as well as all international parties, to take urgent action to halt these measures and the Israeli occupation’s policies that contravene international law; to repeal and invalidate this legislation and other racist and unlawful legislation; to take the necessary measures to ensure respect for freedom of worship and the protection of Islamic holy sites; and to hold Israel, the occupying power, accountable for its ongoing violations of international law and resolutions of the international community. – OIC News