- Title: Palestinians celebrate Jerusalem as "capital of Islamic culture"
- Date: 14th April 2019
- Summary: VARIOUS OF MUSIC BAND PERFORMING VARIOUS OF BAND MEMBERS SINGING TRADITIONAL SONGS
- Embargoed: 28th April 2019 18:00
- Keywords: Jerusalem Capital of Islamic Culture Islamic Conference of Culture Ministers Jericho Jerusalem Palestinians Israelis
- Location: JERICHO, WEST BANK / JERUSALEM
- City: JERICHO, WEST BANK / JERUSALEM
- Country: Palestinian Territories
- Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment
- Reuters ID: LVA005AAFM7V9
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: An event celebrating Jerusalem as the Arab capital of Islamic culture on Friday (April 12) saw the participation of nearly 60 artists from around the world, but they exhibited their musical and creative talents in the city of Jericho as many Palestinians in the West Bank are not allowed to enter Jerusalem.
The Islamic Conference of Culture Ministers designated Jerusalem as the capital of Islamic Culture for the Arab region earlier this year.
The declaration comes in a time where the dispute between Palestinians and Israelis over the status of Jerusalem intensifies.
U.S. President Donald Trump has formally recognised Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Last May, Trump moved the U.S. embassy to the disputed city.
Israel has declared the entire city its undivided capital. This status is not recognised internationally and is rejected by the Palestinians who want East Jerusalem as capital of a state they hope to found.
East Jerusalem is still considered occupied under international law, and the city's status is supposed to be decided as part of an Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement.
"Today when we launch this event we say that the occupation that bans us from reaching Jerusalem due to the various restrictions and by its ongoing persecution for our people and our cultural organisations will never prevent us from celebrating our right in announcing Jerusalem as the capital of Islamic culture," Palestinian Minister of Culture, Ehab Bseiso, said.
The celebration included a number of traditional musical performances, narration of the history of the holy city, Quran recital, and an artist using light to showcase Islamic calligraphy.
The Islamic Conference of Culture Ministers began the tradition of choosing a capital of culture in 2005, naming one for the Arab region, another from Africa and a third from Asia.
In 2018, Bahrain's Muharraq city was the Arab capital of Islamic culture. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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