Guwahati: The Kamrup (metro) District Jamiat Ulama, a branch of Jamiat Ulama-I-Hind, on Friday condemned US president Donald Trump's declaration recognising Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and handed a letter of protest addressed to the UN general secretary to Kamrup metro deputy commissioner M. Angamuthu.

The president of the organisation, Zahid Ahmed said, "Muslims from across Assam, from Sadiya to Dhubri, will meet the deputy commissioners in the different districts and submit memoranda addressed to the UN general secretary, minister of external affairs and the US ambassador to India expressing their anguish and condemnation at Trump's statement. Jeru-salem is as holy as Mecca and Medina for Muslims. It is a holy city for Muslims, Christians and Jews. We will hold special prayers on jumma on Friday for the security of the Palestinians. They should be allowed to live in peace and harmony."

According to the organisation, the declaration by Trump goes against the stand of the UN and the international community about the status of East Jerusalem as an occupied territory of Israel since 1967.

Organisation general secretary Junaid Khalid said, "The Indian government has been recognising Palestine as an independent country and supporting it since the time of Indira Gandhi. We demand an unequivocal condemnation by the government of India in tune with its historically held position of an independent Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital."

"We had planned a rally to the deputy commissioner's office on Friday but were not granted permission. We have appealed to all mosques in the country to pray for the Palestinians. A special khutba or sermon will be delivered by the imams in the mosques. Aksa Masjid in Jerusalem is a common place of worship for Muslims, Christians and Jews. It should be kept open for all ," Khalid said.