A group of Islamic NGOs on Wednesday urged the government to convene a special Parliament sitting to condemn the Israel government for attempting to divide the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, the third holiest mosque for Muslims.

The NGOs include Majlis Perundingan Pertubuhan Islam Malaysia (Mapim), Aqsa Syarif, Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia (ABIM), Viva Palestina Malaysia, Palestinian Cultural Organisation (PCOM), Yayasan Al-Quds Malaysia and Persatuan Kebangsaan Pelajar Islam Malaysia (PKPIM).

Mapim president Mohd Azmi Abd Hamid said the sitting was necessary because Israel's parliament (the Knesset) was trying to pass a bill to enable Jews to perform prayers at the mosque.

"We must send a signal to the world that there needs to be an uprising in the name of justice, human and religious rights because this is an alarming development," he told a press conference in speaking on their behalf here.