UAE, seven other nations condemn Israel's closure of Al Aqsa Mosque

Foreign Ministers from the UAE, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Qatar have condemned Israel’s continued closure of the gates of Al Aqsa Mosque/ Al Haram Al-Sharif to Muslim worshippers, particularly during the holy month of Ramadan.

In a joint statement, the ministers said the security restrictions on access to Jerusalem’s Old City and its places of worship, along with discriminatory and arbitrary limits on entry, are a serious violation of international law and the historical and legal status quo.

The ministers strongly rejected the measure and condemned Israel’s continued provocative actions at Al Aqsa Mosque and against worshippers.

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

They also reiterated that the entire 144-dunam compound of Al Aqsa Mosque is an exclusive place of worship for Muslims, adding that the Jerusalem Endowments and Al Aqsa Mosque Affairs Department, under Jordan’s Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, holds exclusive authority to administer the site and regulate entry.

The ministers called on Israel, as the occupying power, to reopen the mosque’s gates immediately, remove access restrictions to Jerusalem’s Old City, and allow Muslim worshippers free access to the site.

They also urged the international community to take a firm stance to compel Israel to halt ongoing violations and illegal practices against Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.