Muslim Leaders Reject US President's Decision on Jerusalem

OIC Secretary General Yousef al-Othaimeen, speaking on Wednesday at the opening of an OIC summit in Istanbul, urged Muslim leaders to work together to present a united response to the move, Al-Jazeera reported.

"The OIC rejects and condemns the American decision," he said, adding that "This is a violation of international law... and this is a provocation of the feelings of Muslims within the world... it will create a situation of instability in the region and in the world."

Several Muslim leaders and top diplomats geared up for a special summit of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on al-Quds in the Turkish city of Istanbul in criticizing a US President Donald Trump decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

The OIC convened for an extraordinary summit in Istanbul to discuss Jerusalem following the US President’s controversial and historic decision last week to recognize the holy city as Israel’s capital and relocate the embassy to the city.

Turkish President, as the current chairman of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), had asked for an emergency meeting to convene in Istanbul, calling Jerusalem the "red line for Muslims", and describing Israel as a "terrorist state" and a "killer of children".

US President announced last Wednesday Washington would be recognizing Jerusalem al-Quds as Israel’s capital and ordered that work on the relocation of the American embassy from Tel Aviv to al-Quds begin.

The move was hailed by Israel but condemned by the rest of the international community as one which undermines the peace talks.

Washington’s al-Quds move has raised a chorus of outcry across the international community. The Muslim world, the UN and even US allies in the West have criticized the bid, saying it would plunge the already tumultuous region into new upheaval.

Heavy clashes also broke out between Israeli troops and Palestinian protesters after Washington's decision in Jerusalem al-Qud's Old City, Hebron (al-Khalil), Bethlehem and Nablus in the West Bank as well as the besieged Gaza Strip.

People in different countries have also hit the streets to denounce Trump's recognition of Jerusalem al-Quds as Israel’s capital.