Al-Quds Foundation Malaysia launched al-Aqsa Solidarity Day in the Malaysian state of Kedah on Friday, 31st May, in Zahir Mosque in Alor Setar city.

The event was launched in the presence of the Chief Minister of the state of Kedah Mukhriz bin Mahathir and the Minister of Religious Affairs Ismail Saleh.

The event witnessed the launch of a book on al-Aqsa Mosque and Judaization and the opening of Jerusalem exhibition, while the Friday sermon was delivered on the current situation of Jerusalem and al-Aqsa Mosque under Israeli occupation.

"I'm so pleased to be here for the blessed Aqsa Mosque," Mukhriz bin Mahathir said, and thanked al-Quds Foundation Malaysia for organizing the event in his state.

Mukhriz bin Mahathir stressed that liberating Jerusalem and al-Aqsa Mosque from Israeli oppression is the responsibility of every Muslim, and added, "We, the Malaysians, believe, despite the distance, that al-Aqsa Mosque belongs to us as to the Palestinians."

He praised the efforts made by al-Quds Foundation Malaysia since it was established in 2012, and thanked its administration and staff for what they have done in support of Jerusalem and al-Aqsa Mosque.

For his part, Sharif Abu Shammala, the head of al-Quds Foundation Malaysia, said that al-Aqsa Solidarity Day is mainly aimed at drawing attention to the issue of al-Aqsa Mosque and the suffering of Palestinian people in Jerusalem.

Abu Shammala pointed out that his foundation seeks to raise awareness about Jerusalem and al-Aqsa Mosque through books, publications, activities, events, exhibitions, conferences and training courses, in partnership with universities and local community institutions.

He announced that soon the foundation will launch "Aqsapedia" as the first online encyclopedia on al-Aqsa Mosque in Malaysian, Indonesian, Thai, Arabic, and English. Other languages will be added later.

He also hailed the Prime Minister of Malaysia Mahathir Mohamad for always speaking up for the Palestinians' right to freedom and self-determination at international platforms, and expressed gratitude for Mukhriz bin Mahathir for his full support of al-Aqsa Solidarity Day.