Preface

The situation of Al-Qods Al-Shareef stands highest amongst the major preoccupations of those who take part in Islamic action ; it gets top priority as one of the issues whose import constitutes the cornerstone of Islamic solidarity as well as the fundamental pillar on which rests the edifice of the Organization of the Islamic Conference. This Organization itself came into existence as a result of the Islamic world's reaction to the barbaric aggression against this holy city nineteen years ago, thus leading to the First Islamic Summit Conference held in Rabat, the capital of the Kingdom of Morocco, from 9 to 12 Rajab, 1389 A.H./22-25 September 1969 A.D.

The Islamic action worldwide stems from the basic care for Al-Qods Al-Shareef as a holy land blessed and consecrated by Allah as the cradle of the First Qiblah and the Third Holiest Shrine of Islam. The policy of Islamic solidarity has been a commitment to sustained action for the liberation of Al-Qods as the historical symbol of Palestine and the capital of its future State.

The international activity of the Islamic countries remains focussed on this sacred cause which has been unequalled by any other issue whatever its weight or importance. Likewise, Muslims throughout the world look upon Al-Qods with awe and veneration as much as they wish to make any sacrifice that will free this holy city from the yoke of the conquering occupant.

Considering the great importance of Al-Qods Al-Shareef for Islamic public opinion worldwide and, on the other hand, considering the Muslims' fervent attachment to the First Qiblah and the Third Holiest Shrine of Islam and, further, in view of these religious, historical, and civilizational factors, ISESCO has taken the initiative to publish a reference book on Al-Qods which not only contributes to better knowledge of this city but also offers a comprehensive and highly concentrated compendium of general information, historical facts, statistics, and various details from ancient and modern books about this holy city. This publication is undertaken for the sake of both keeping alive the issue of Al-Qods in the sphere of world concerns and keeping up the attachment of Muslims worldwide to this city. This initiative should help to disprove the false claims of both the Zionist movement and the State of Israel ; on the other hand, it should cancel the effect of the fallacious propaganda that seeks to deny Muslims their natural rights to this holy city, which is the locus of the Ascension of our Lord, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), the cradle of Jesus, and the place of the Revelation.

Being highly aware of its duties towards Al-Qods, the Islamic Organization is glad to present to the reader this valuable work on Al-Qods by the Palestinian scholar, Dr. Shawqî Sha'th, hoping that it will benefit the growing Muslim generations and that it will enable public opinion worldwide to know the historical facts, for these will defeat the allegations of the violators of the inalienable rights of Arabs and Muslims to Al-Qods.

Dr. Abdulaziz Othman Altwaijri
Director General of ISESCO