Eight Muslim Foreign Ministers Condemn Israel’s Closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta — The foreign ministers of eight countries namely Indonesia, Egypt, Jordan, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and the United Arab Emirates, condemned the closure of the gates of Al-Aqsa Mosque by Israeli occupation authorities, which restricts Muslim worshippers’ access to pray, particularly during the holy month of Ramadan.

“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,” the joint statement by the foreign ministers said.

The ministers also expressed strong rejection and condemnation of the policy, describing it as illegal and unjustifiable, as well as condemning Israel’s provocative actions at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and against worshippers. “Israel has no sovereignty over occupied Jerusalem or its Islamic and Christian holy sites,” the statement said.

The statement also emphasized that the entire area of Al-Aqsa Mosque, covering around 144 dunams, is a place of worship exclusively for Muslims. The ministers stressed that the Jerusalem Endowments and Al-Aqsa Mosque Affairs Department under the Jordanian Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs is the legitimate authority with exclusive jurisdiction to administer the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and regulate access to the site.

The ministers called on Israel, as the occupying power, to immediately cease the closure of the gates of Al-Aqsa Mosque and remove access restrictions to the Old City of Jerusalem. “Israel, as the occupying Power, must 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,” the statement added.

They also urged the international community to take a firm stance to compel Israel to halt its ongoing violations and illegal practices against Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, including violations of the sanctity of these places of worship.