OPPOSITION leaders will be invited to the Putra Mosque in Putrajaya on Friday to take part in a protest against the recognition of Jerusalem as the Israeli capital, said Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Zahid, who is also home minister, said all political parties should put their differences aside and attend the event.

“We are going to invite speakers from all political parties to attend the forum and event.

“There is going to be six panellists at the forum which will be held before Friday prayers. 

“We hope that this will not be a forum for them to air their differences (opposition) but to show their solidarity,” he said after attending the Home Ministry monthly gathering at Putrajaya today.

The gathering is to protest against US President Donald Trump’s move to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital on December 6. Other Islamic and non-Islamic civil society bodies have also been invited.

At an Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) summit recently, Prime Minister Najib Razak was reported to have said OIC must be united in its efforts to reject any move to declare Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, and that Jerusalem should eventually be made the Palestinian capital.

When asked if Pakatan Harapan and Bersatu chairman Dr Mahathir Mohamad will be invited, Zahid said all will be called soon.

He added that all Barisan Nasional components parties will join the event.  

Najib and PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang and civil society groups are also expected to be giving speeches. – December 19, 2017.