Abu dhabi: The Foreign Ministers of the United Arab Emirates, Trkiye, Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar have collectively condemned the continued closure of the gates of Al-Aqsa Mosque/Al-Haram Al-Sharif by Israeli authorities, particularly during Ramadan.
According to Emirates News Agency, the ministers criticized the security restrictions imposed on access to Jerusalem's Old City and its worship places. These measures, they argue, represent a violation of international law, including humanitarian law, and contradict the principle of unrestricted access to religious sites.
The ministers expressed their strong rejection and condemnation of these actions, emphasizing that Israel's continued provocations at Al-Aqsa Mosque and against worshippers are unjustified. They reiterated that Israel does not have sovereignty over occupied Jerusalem or its Islamic and Christian holy sites.
The statement also highlighted that the Al-Aqsa Mosque's entire area is a place of worship exclusively for Muslims. The Jerusalem Endowments and Al-Aqsa Mosque Affairs Department, under the Jordanian Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, is recognized as the sole legal authority to manage the mosque's affairs and regulate entry.
The ministers urged Israel to immediately lift the closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque's gates, remove access restrictions to Jerusalem's Old City, and stop obstructing Muslim worshippers. They also called on the international community to take a strong stance to compel Israel to cease its violations and illegal practices against Jerusalem's holy sites.