Gaza, Jan 6 (IANS): The Islamic Hamas movement Tuesday announced that it opposes the visits of Arabs and Muslims to Jerusalem and to the holy site of al-Aqsa Mosque.

The movement said in an emailed press statement that "these visits are considered a normalisation with the Israeli occupation as the city is still under this occupation", Xinua reported.

Earlier Monday, Eyad Madani, the secretary general of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, stated that "visiting al-Aqsa Mosque and praying there is considered normalisation with the occupation (Israel)".

Madani, who arrived in the Palestinian territories Monday, paid a visit to Jerusalem and to al-Aqsa Mosque and held meetings with Palestinian officials in charge of Jerusalem's affairs in the Palestinian National Authority (PNA).

The Hamas statement said "the liberation of Jerusalem and al-Aqsa Mosque is a duty of every Arab and every Muslim all over the world”.

“This liberation has to be achieved through Jihad (Holy War) and resistance," it stated

Meanwhile, Sami Abu Zuhri, Hamas spokesman in Gaza, slammed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas for deciding to resubmit a draft resolution to the UN Security Council for ending the Israeli occupation.