In the wake of the Al-Aqsa controversy, Turkey's foreign minister on Tuesday called on the Muslim world to show its support for Palestinians by recognizing the state of Palestine.
"Let's support the millions of Palestinians who have been forced to stay under Israel's occupation or fled abroad with our actions, not with mere words," Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu told a meeting in Istanbul of the foreign ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
"We invite everyone who raised their voice to stop this injustice and recognize the Palestinian state," he said.
Turkey currently holds the OIC presidency.
"An independent Palestinian state within the borders of 1967 should be established as soon as possible," said Çavuşoğlu.
He also reiterated Ankara's support to revive the peace process under the framework of the two-state solution -- a peace solution which calls for an independent Palestine alongside Israel.
"We all support the efforts of reviving the peace process. But there can be no lasting peace without law and justice," he added.
MUSLIMS SHOULD UNITE FOR PALESTINE
Turkey's top diplomat called on Muslims to unite to protect the holy mosque and people of Palestine.
"Our drifting apart delights the enemies of Islam," said Çavuşoğlu.
"We must act more consciously to protect the Al-Aqsa Mosque and Palestine …We should continue our struggle more effectively on the international platform," he added.
Çavuşoğlu welcomed Israel's steps to lift metal detectors installed around the mosque compound.
"Israel took a step in the right direction. Our hope is that Israel will enter into an attitude that will fully take into account the sensitivities of Muslims to Al-Aqsa from now on," he added.
Earlier on Tuesday, Çavuşoğlu met with OIC Secretary-General Yousef Al-Othaimeen and Malaysia's Foreign Minister Anifah Aman to discuss the recent developments at Al-Aqsa compound in Jerusalem.
The meeting follows weeks of controversy over Israeli actions at Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque in the wake of a deadly shootout.
Israel said the measures were needed for security, while Palestinians called them an effort to put the holy site under Israeli control.
Criticizing the measures, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan last week called on Muslims to rally to protect Al-Aqsa.
After facing international condemnation, Israel removed the detectors on Friday.
Palestinians on Saturday took to the streets and rushed into Al-Aqsa to celebrate the removal of detectors. A number of Muslims from around the world joined celebrations around the mosque and greeted each other.
Jerusalem is sacred to Muslims, Jews and Christians and the Al-Aqsa Mosque represents the Islamic world's third holiest site.
