Jordan urges Muslims to support Saudi-led anti-terror alliance

AMMAN — War on terrorism and on outlaws of Islam is Muslims’ war to defend their religion and future, His Majesty King Abdullah said Thursday in a speech delivered on his behalf by Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour at the 13th Session of the Islamic Summit Conference held in Istanbul. 

The war on terrorism should be seen with a holistic perspective, His Majesty said, because it does not stop at the borders of Syria, Libya, Iraq or any other Islamic country but extends to the entire world, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra. 

Therefore, Saudi King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud’s Islamic coalition to combat terrorism has to be supported, to suppress terrorists and extremists seeking to spread in the region, the King added.

Five years have passed since the beginning of the Syrian crisis with its repercussions affecting the region and the world more and more, the King said, noting that it particularly affected neighbouring countries in humanitarian, economic and security terms.

His Majesty said that Jordan called for a comprehensive political solution that alleviates the suffering of Syrians and preserves their dignity and rights in the future they envision. 

The Palestinian issue remains the central cause and Israel is using other crises in the region to impose its desired status quo on Palestinians instead of a two-state solution, the King said, highlighting the recurrent violations of holy sites in Jerusalem. 

Jordan will never accept and allow those violations and will face them with all possible diplomatic and legal means under the Hashemite custodianship of the sanctuaries, His Majesty said. 

History and reality have proved that joint Islamic work is a basic need to achieve security and stability in the region, which faces challenges that should be addressed by Muslims in unity to achieve the desired future or be separated under the mercy of the powers that seek to control their present and future, the King said.

Jordan was one of the first countries to recognise Kosovo and urge the rest of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states to recognise it, His Majesty added. 

The two-day conference is held under the theme of “Unity and Solidarity for Justice and Peace”, in which 30 world leaders are taking part. 

The summit, whose priority is the Palestinian cause, aims at boosting joint Islamic cooperation regionally and internationally. 

Moreover, it discusses combating terrorism and the work schedule of the OIC until 2025.