In cooperation with the Department of Principles of Islamic jurisprudence at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), Al-Quds Foundation Malaysia (QFM) held a lecture entitled: “The Future of Al-Quds in the Shadow of Deal of the Century” which was attended by a group of lecturers and students. This was part of QFM‘s efforts exerted in explaining the details, risks, and implications of the US peace plan known as the Deal of the Century on the Palestinian issue in general and on Al-Quds and Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa in particular.
The session was moderated by Prof. Aref Ali Aref, Head of the Research Unit in the Department of Principles of Islamic jurisprudence. Delivering the lecture, Dr. Sharif Abu Shammala, CEO of Al-Quds Foundation Malaysia, discussed the nature of the Deal of the Century and its dangers on the rights, lands, borders, sanctities, and sovereignty of the Palestinian people.
He also indicated that the Deal directly and firmly targeted Al-Quds city, that was previously announced to be the capital of “Israel” by US President Donald Trump. Thus, the items of the Deal are mere continuation of the ethnic cleansing processes that have not stopped since the Nakba, as well as denying the right of Palestinians in the holy city where the Palestinian right was dwarfed and expect them to consider Shuafat neighbourhood the capital.
During his lecture, Abu Shammala explained how the plan confiscates the Palestinians ’right to Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa, starting with its designation as the Temple Mount, restricting its concept to some of its chapels, imposing a Jewish presence on it, and sharing it with the occupation, as well as the occupation’s control over the worshipers’ movement and freedom.
He stressed that launching popular movements and activating the youth role, in particular, are required and even obligatory in these difficult and critical times in the history of the Palestinian issue. In other words, everyone is asked to exert the utmost efforts in all forums and areas to support the resilience of Jerusalemites and provide everything that would secure them in their land. This is better than leaving them alone in light of the abuse and harm they are exposed to by Israel which wants to prevent them from defending Al-Quds.
At the end of the lecture, Prof. Aref Ali Aref thanked QFM and the lecturer for their role in educating the audience and raising awareness and then the chance was given to discuss the deal and the ways to thwart it.
