Doha: Eight Arab and Islamic countries have condemned Israel's continued closure of the Al-Aqsa Mosque during the holy month of Ramadan for the 12th consecutive day.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the countries include Qatar, Jordan, Indonesia, Turkiye, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates. In a statement on Wednesday, their foreign ministers called Israel's fsourincluding humanitarian law, the historical and legal status quo, and the principle of unrestricted access to places of worship.'
The statement highlighted the ministers' strong rejection and condemnation of what they termed as illegal measures and Israel's provocative actions against worshippers at Al-Aqsa Mosque/Al-Haram Al-Sharif. They emphasized that Israel has no sovereignty over occupied Jerusalem or its Islamic and Christian holy sites.
The ministers reaffirmed that Al-Aqsa Mosque remains 'exclusively' for Muslims, under the jurisdiction of the Jerusalem Endowments and Al-Aqsa Mosque Affairs department affiliated with Jordan's Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs. They urged Israel to immediately reopen the mosque, lift restrictions on the Old City, and allow Muslim worshippers unrestricted access.
Palestinian authorities and Hamas have also condemned the closure, calling it a violation of Palestinian rights and a 'dangerous historical precedent' undermining freedom of worship.