Broadcast on Mogadishu Domestic Service (in Somali)  –Commentary by Ismail Muhammad Ali on President Abdirashid Ali Shermarkes telegram to the President of Turkey regarding the Israeli occupation of Jerusalem

Last night, President Shermarke sent an urgent telegram to President Cevdet Sunay of Turkey in which he said:

“Your Excellency, President of the Republic of Turkey: I should like to warn you about and request you to act against the proposal now being mooted by the Western powers which seeks the internationalization of Baital Muqdis (Jerusalem), one of the holy places of worship of the ancient Moslem people.”

Shermarke appealed to the Turkish President to advise Athenagoras, the patriarch of the Orthodox Church in Turkey, to reject the Western powers’ proposal. He strongly emphasized to the President of Turkey the need for both the Somali Republic and Turkey to collaborate closely and prevent the Western powers from taking steps aimed at removing Baital Muqdis, which was recently captured by the Jews from the Arabs, from the control of the Moslem people.

Dr. Shermarke’s message demonstrates to us that he is aware of the feelings and thoughts of the majority of Somalia and of the Somali people’s bold opposition to the Jewish occupation of parts of the Arab states, including Baital Muqdis.

Dr. Abdirashid’s message indicates the need for Muslims to act jointly in this matter. The Muslim people must rise together in unity if the Jews refuse to adhere to the U.N. resolution calling on Israel not to change the status of area. The fact, recorded in history, that Batial Muqdis is part of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan must be recognized.

If the action of the Jews is allowed to pass unchallenged by the United Nations, and if the Muslim people fail to unite their ranks and oppose it, then the annexation of this territory, historically the property of a member state, would represent a gross breach of the principles of the U.N. Charter and would damage the U.N.’s prestige.