KAICIID reiterates the fundamental importance of protecting and providing access to holy places, as well as places of worship ensuring freedom of religion or belief for all people, always.

We are living in a critical moment, where we are tasked with acting with responsibility and upholding the dignity of all religious communities.

The holy sites of Jerusalem hold unique and enduring significance for many Christian, Muslim and Jewish around the world. They are of deep religious importance to the several religious communities that intersect there. These sacred places must remain spaces of prayer, reflection and peace. Their status and accessibility should be respected and protected accordingly.

The protection of holy places and freedom of access to them are reflected in Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which affirms the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, including the freedom to manifest one’s religion or belief in worship, observance, practice and teaching.

KAICIID calls on all to uphold these principles with wisdom, restraint and respect, to continue advancing mutual understanding and peaceful coexistence among all religious communities.