Jerusalem Committee to convene in Casablanca

The "Al-quds (Jerusalem) committee" will hold its 17th session in Casablanca this July 29-30 at the invitation of King Hassan II who is the committee's chairman.

The 17th session will examine "the dangerous situation prevailing in the holy city of Jerusalem following the Israeli government's decision to extend the boundaries of Al-Quds municipality, in a bid to change the civilizational landmarks of the city and to modify its political status as well as its geographic and historical situation," a statement by the Moroccan foreign ministry department said.

The "Al-Quds committee" was set up in 1975 by the Organization of Islamic Conference [OIC] to draw a general plan for the liberation of the city, third holy shrine for Muslims, and to take the needed measures to fight Israeli attempts to alter its demographic and cultural features.

It is chaired since its first meeting in 1979 by King Hassan II.

Eastern Jerusalem was occupied and annexed in 1967. The international community never recognized this annexation.

In addition to Palestine, the committee members include fifteen Arab and non-Arab Islamic countries, namely Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Mauritania, Syria, Bangladesh, Guinea, Indonesia, Iran, Niger, Pakistan and Senegal.