Rabat, Kingdom of Morocco (September 1969)
DECLARATION OF THE RABAT ISLAMIC SUMMIT CONFERENCE
The Heads of States and Governments and Representatives of the Kingdom of Afghanistan, Algeria Democratic and Popular Republic, Republic of Chad, Republic of Guinea, Republic of Indonesia, Empire of Iran, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Kingdom of Morocco, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, State of Kuwait, Republic of Lebanon, Arab Republic of Libya, Malaysia, Republic of Mali, Islamic Republic of Mauritania, Republic of Niger, Republic of Pakistan, Republic of Somalia, Popular Republic of Southern Yemen, Democratic Republic of Sudan, Republic of Tunisia, Republic of Turkey, United Arab Republic, the Yemen Arab Republic, and of the Moslem Community of India, met at the First Islamic Summit Conference held in Rabat from 9 to 12 Ralab 1389 (22 to 25 September 1969),
Representatives of the Palestinian Liberation Organisation attended as observers,
Convinced that their common creed constitutes a powerful factor bringing their peoples closer together and fostering understanding between them,
Resolved to preserve the spiritual, moral and socioeconomic values of Islam which remain one of the essential factors for the achievement of progress by mankind,
Expressing their unshakable faith in the precepts of Islam which proclaim the full equality of rights among all men,
Affirming their adherence to the Charter of the United Nations and fundamental Human Rights, the purpose and principles of which establish a basis for fruitful cooperation among all peoples.
Determined to strengthen the fraternal and spiritual bonds existing between their peoples and to safeguard their freedom and the heritage of their common civilisation founded in particular upon the principles of justice, tolerance and non-discrimination,
Anxious to promote everywhere welfare, progress and freedom,
Resolved to unite their efforts for the preservation of world peace and security, To these ends
HEREBY DECLARE
Their Governments shall consult together with a view of promoting between themselves close cooperation and mutual assistance in the economic, scientific, cultural and spiritual fields, inspired by the immortal teachings of Islam.
Their Governments undertake to settle by peaceful means any dispute, which may arise between them in such a manner as to contribute to the strengthening of international peace and security, in accordance with the aims and principles of the Charter of the United Nations.
Having considered the act of arson in Holy Al-Aqsa Mosque and the situation in the Middle East, the Heads of State and Government and Representatives,
HEREBY DECLARE:
The grievous event of 21st August 1969, which caused extensive damage by arson to the Sacred Al-Aqsa Mosque, has plunged over six hundred million followers of Islam throughout the world into the deepest anguish.
This sacrilege against one of Humanity’s most venerated shrines and the acts of destruction and profanation of the Holy Places which have taken place under the military occupation by Israel of AI-Quds – the Holy City of Jerusalem, sacred to the followers of Islam, Christianity and Judaism, have exacerbated tensions in the Middle East and aroused indignation among peoples throughout the world.
The Heads of State and Government and Representatives declare that the continued threat to the Sacred Shrines of Islam in Jerusalem is the result of the occupation of this City by the Israeli forces. The preservation of their sacred character and unimpeded access to them require that the Holy City should be resorted its status, previous to June 1967, which was established and sanctified by the history of thirteen hundred years.
They therefore declare that their Governments and peoples are firmly determined to reject any solution of the problem of Palestine, which would deny Jerusalem the status it had before June 1967.
They urge all Governments particularly those of France, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. the United Kingdom and the United States of America to take into account the deep attachment of the followers of Islam to Jerusalem and the solemn resolve of their Governments to strive for its liberation.
The continued military occupation of Arab territories by Israel since June, 1967, the refusal by Israel to pay the slightest heed to the calls by the Security Council and the General Assembly of the United Nations to rescind the measures purporting to annex the Holy City of Jerusalem to Israel, have caused their peoples and their Governments the most profound concern.
Having considered this grave situation the Heads of State and Government and Representatives urgently and earnestly a peal to all members of the International community, and more particularly to the great powers which have a special responsibility to maintain international peace to intensify their collective and individual efforts to secure the speedy withdrawal of Israeli military forces from all the territories occupied as a result of the war of June, 1967, in accordance with the established principle of the inadmissibility of acquisition of territory by military conquest.
Moved by the tragedy of Palestine, they affirm their full support to the Palestinian people for the restitution of their rights, which were usurped and in their struggle for national liberation.
They reaffirm their adherence to the principle of peace, but peace with honour and justice.
RESOLUTION OF THE FIRST ISLAMIC SUMMIT CONFERENCE IN RABAT
RAJAB, 1389 H – SEPTEMBER 1969
The Islamic Summit Conference decided that a meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Member countries should be held in the month of Moharrarn 1390H, March 1970, TO:
- Discuss the results of the common action which participating countries have taken at the international level on the subject of the resolutions stated in the Communique of the Rabat Islamic Summit Conference,
- Discuss the subject of establishing a permanent Secretariat, charged inter alia with the responsibility of making contacts with Governments represented at the Conference, and to coordinate their activities.
RABAT, 12 Rajab 1389 H. 25th September, 1969
