TDThe Foreign Ministers of Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Pakistan, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Egypt have joint condemned Israeli occupation authorities for closing the gates of Al-Aqsa Mosque/Al-Haram Al-Sharif to Muslim worshippers during the holy month of Ramadan.
They described the restrictions on access to the Old City of Jerusalem and its places of worship as “flagrant violations of international law, humanitarian law, and the historical and legal status quo.”
The ministers stressed that such measures undermine the principle of unrestricted access to sacred places, a cornerstone of religious freedom.
Ministers’ Strong Rejection
- Absolute Condemnation: The ministers rejected the closures as illegal and unjustified, calling them an affront to Muslim worshippers worldwide.
- Provocative Actions: They accused Israel of continuing provocations against worshippers at Al-Aqsa, warning that such actions risk inflaming tensions during a sensitive religious period.
- No Sovereignty Claim: The statement firmly asserted that Israel has no sovereignty over occupied Jerusalem or its Islamic and Christian holy sites, reinforcing the international consensus on the city’s contested status.
Exclusive Muslim Worship Rights
The ministers reaffirmed that the entire 144 dunams of Al-Aqsa Mosque is a place of worship exclusively for Muslims.
They emphasized that the Jerusalem Endowments and Al-Aqsa Mosque Affairs Department, under Jordan’s Ministry of Awqaf, is the sole legal authority responsible for administering the site and regulating entry.
This declaration underscores Jordan’s custodial role, which has long been recognized in international agreements and regional diplomacy.
Calls to Israel and the World
To Israel: Immediate reopening of Al-Aqsa gates, removal of restrictions in the Old City, and an end to obstruction of worshippers.
To the International Community: Adoption of a firm stance compelling Israel to halt violations against Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.
The ministers urged global powers to act decisively to preserve the sanctity of religious spaces and uphold international law.
Broader Context
The joint statement comes amid heightened tensions during Ramadan, a period when access to Al-Aqsa Mosque is especially significant for Muslim worshippers.
The closure of gates and restrictions on entry have long been flashpoints in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, symbolizing deeper disputes over sovereignty, identity, and religious rights in occupied East Jerusalem.
This latest condemnation reflects growing frustration among Arab and Muslim-majority nations over what they see as Israel’s disregard for the historical status quo governing Jerusalem’s holy sites.
It also highlights the potential for religious restrictions to escalate into broader political and security crises across the region.
This joint declaration represents a unified diplomatic front by Arab and Muslim-majority nations, framing Israel’s actions as violations of international law and religious freedoms.
It signals a renewed push for international accountability and places pressure on global actors to intervene decisively in safeguarding access to one of the world’s most sensitive religious sites.
