Christians and Muslims of the World Should Join Efforts to Defend al-Quds: Grand Mufti

DAMASCUS, (ST)- Syria’s Grand Mufti Badreddin Hassoun has stressed that Christians and Muslims should unify their efforts against usurpers of al-Quds, calling on the Christian world and the Pope of the Vatican to speak up against US President Donald Trump’s decision that recognizes al-Quds as the capital of the Israeli occupation entity.

In an interview with the Beirut-based al-Mayadeen TV Sunday night, Hassoun said Trump’s unjust decision disrespects international law and resolutions, pointing out that the “Palestinians have spoken up against this decision and now they are celebrating Christmas regardless the Zionist occupiers.”

   The mufti hailed the honorable stance adopted against Trump’s decision by the Copts in Egypt who ban pilgrimage to al-Quds as long as it is occupied, in addition to the stance adopted by the Lebanese Maronite Patriarch, Cardinal Mor Bechara Boutros al-Rahi in which he described the decision as unjust and hostile to both Christians and Muslims.

He pointed out that sedition schemes against the region are a “political game” launched in 2003 upon the American invasion of Iraq with the purpose of creating the so-called “new Middle East”.

“The world should realize that this scheme has failed in Syria and Iraq and it is now failing in Yemen. We will continue to fight such schemes until Palestine is restored to its people,” the mufti said, urging those who instigated sedition in the region to “admit their mistakes which caused crimes in Syria and other countries.”

Hamda Mustafa