Egypt & Seven Other Nations Strongly Condemn Closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque During Ramadan

In a significant diplomatic move, the Foreign Ministers of Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Pakistan, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, and the State of Qatar have issued a collective statement condemning the Israeli occupation authorities' continued closure of the Al-Aqsa Mosque/Al-Haram Al-Sharif. 

The ministers specifically highlighted the timing of these restrictions during the holy month of Ramadan, characterizing the measures as a direct provocation against Muslim worshippers and a violation of their religious freedom.

​The joint statement asserted that the current security restrictions and discriminatory access policies enforced in the Old City of Jerusalem constitute a flagrant breach of international law and international humanitarian law. By obstructing access to places of worship, the ministers argued that Israel is undermining the established historical and legal status quo.

They further emphasized their absolute rejection of these "illegal and unjustified" measures, explicitly stating that Israel holds no sovereignty over occupied Jerusalem or its various Islamic and Christian holy sites.

​Central to the ministers' position is the reiteration that the entire 144-dunam area of the Al-Aqsa Mosque is a place of worship reserved exclusively for Muslims.

They affirmed that the Jerusalem Endowments and Al-Aqsa Mosque Affairs Department, which is affiliated with the Jordanian Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, remains the only legal entity with the jurisdiction to administer the site and regulate entry. This reinforces the long-standing custodial role of Jordan over the holy sites in the city.

​Concluding their appeal, the eight nations called upon Israel, as the occupying Power, to immediately cease the closure of the mosque's gates and remove all obstacles preventing access to the Old City.

They also directed a plea to the international community, urging global powers to adopt a firm stance that compels a halt to ongoing violations.

Moreover, the ministers stressed that the sanctity of these holy places must be protected from further illegal practices to prevent further escalation in the region.