MCB Saddened by Death of Palestinian Leader

T H E M U S L I M C O U N C I L O F B R I T A I N

11th November 2004

Press Release

MCB Saddened by Death of Palestinian Leader

The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) shares with the Palestinian people their indescribable grief with the passing away of their leader, President Yasir Arafat. May Allah Almighty accept his legendary struggle and reward him abundantly.

The MCB’s Secretary-General Iqbal Sacranie said:

‘For more than four decades Yasir Arafat led with unparalleled dedication the Palestinian national movement for freedom and independence. His death has left an enormous vacuum at the helm of that movement that will not be easy to fill.’

‘It is unacceptable that the Israeli occupation authorities by virtue of their might have denied the Palestinian leader his expressed wish to be buried in al-Quds (Jerusalem), the birth-place of his mother and home of his paternal relatives,’ Mr Sacranie added.

More than any other contemporary Palestinian leader, Yasir Arafat symbolized the struggle and determination of his people. He kept their dream alive and succeeded in keeping the Palestinian issue at the top of the international political agenda since the early 1960s.

The MCB extends its deepest condolences to Fatah, the Palestinian Liberation Organization, the Palestinian National Authority and the Palestinian people at home and in the diaspora. We reaffirm our absolute support for their struggle to restore their historical and national rights in their homeland.

The MCB urges the British Government and its partners in the European Union to render all necessary assistance to the Palestinian people in accord with international law and relevant UN resolutions.

The MCB’s Secretary-General, Iqbal Sacranie, will be traveling to Cairo as part of the official British delegation headed by the Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw, where he will attend the funeral Janaza prayer tomorrow for the Palestinian leader.

‘To God we belong, and to Him is our return’ (Qur’an 2:156)

[Ends]

Note for Editors:

1. The Muslim Council of Britain (www.mcb.org.uk) is the UK’s representative Muslim umbrella body with over 400 affiliated national, regional and local organisations, mosques, charities and schools.

For further information please contact: The Muslim Council of Britain, Boardman House, 64 Broadway, Stratford, London E15 1NT,
Tel: 07708 065 150 or 0208 432 0585/6, Fax: 0208 432 0587 Email: media@mcb.org.uk Website: https://mcb.org.uk