Muslim nations condemn Al-Aqsa closure

The United Arab Emirates, Turkiye, Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar condemned the Israeli occupation authorities’ continued closure of the gates of Al-Aqsa Mosque to Muslim worshippers, particularly during Ramazan.

“Security restrictions on access to the Old City of Jerusalem and its places of worship coupled with discriminatory and arbitrary access restrictions to the other places of worship in the old city constitute a flagrant violation of international law, including international humanitarian law, the historical and legal status quo, and the principle of unrestricted access to places of worship,” a joint statement issued by the foreign ministers of the eight Muslim states read.

“The ministers affirmed their absolute rejection and condemnation of this illegal and unjustified measure, as well as Israel’s continued provocative actions at Al-Aqsa Mosque / Al-Haram Al-Sharif and against worshippers,” it added.

They stressed that Israel has no sovereignty over occupied Jerusalem or its Islamic and Christian holy sites.

The foreign ministers reiterated that the entire area of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, which amounts to 144 dunams, is a place of worship exclusively for Muslims. They also stated that the Jerusalem Endowments and Al-Aqsa Mosque Affairs Department, affiliated with the Jordanian Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, is the legal entity with exclusive jurisdiction to administer the affairs of the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque/Haram Al- Sharif and regulate entry to it.

They called on Israel, as the occupying power, to immediately cease the closure of the gates of Al-Aqsa Mosque, remove access restrictions to the Old City of Jerusalem, and refrain from obstructing Muslim worshippers’ access to the mosque.

They also urged the international community to adopt a firm position that compels Israel to halt its ongoing violations and illegal practices against Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, as well as its violations of the sanctity of these holy places.