Qatar participates in Arab League-OIC joint ministerial meeting in New York

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, September 27, 2026

Qatar participated in a joint Arab League and OIC ministerial meeting during the UN General Assembly, where its minister condemned recent Israeli actions at the Al-Aqsa Mosque and called for coordinated efforts to protect Jerusalem’s religious sites. The country reaffirmed its support for Palestinian statehood based on pre-1967 borders and emphasized the importance of international law and the Hashemite custodianship in preserving the city's status.

Qatar took part in a joint ministerial meeting of the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) held on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly session in New York on September 26. The country was represented by HE Dr Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh al-Khulaifi, Minister of State at Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

During the meeting, Dr al-Khulaifi highlighted Qatar’s ongoing commitment to reinforcing coordinated Arab and Islamic efforts aimed at safeguarding Jerusalem and its Islamic and Christian holy sites. He urged that this issue remain a priority for all involved parties.

The Qatari minister strongly condemned recent Israeli actions at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, citing escalations that include mass incursions by settler groups reportedly escorted by Israeli police and led by extremist Israeli ministers, as well as the raising of the Israeli flag within the mosque’s courtyards. He described these measures as clear violations of international law and international humanitarian law, characterizing them as provocations to the sentiments of millions of Muslims worldwide.

Dr al-Khulaifi reiterated Qatar’s rejection of Israeli policies and practices aimed at changing the historical, legal, and demographic status of occupied East Jerusalem. He underscored that all unilateral steps intended to impose new realities concerning Jerusalem and its holy sites lack validity under international law and relevant United Nations resolutions. He affirmed that the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound is exclusively a place of worship for Muslims.

Qatar also reaffirmed its support for the historic Hashemite custodianship of Jerusalem’s Islamic and Christian holy sites. The minister emphasized the importance of the outcomes of the recent Amman meeting held in August, which featured participation from Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani. He noted the need to activate Qatar’s initiative to establish a permanent institutional mechanism to address these issues.

Furthermore, Qatar’s delegation reiterated its firm support for the Palestinian people’s rights, including the right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on the borders prior to June 4, 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital. This position aligns with international law and UN resolutions advocating for a two-state solution. The minister also rejected any measures or policies that threaten the realization of this solution.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.