Eight Muslim-majority nations slam Israel’s closure of Al-Aqsa gates during Ramadan

Eight Muslim-majority nations slam Israel’s closure of Al-Aqsa gates during Ramadan
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Foreign ministers from Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Pakistan, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Egypt have issued a joint statement condemning Israeli authorities for closing the gates of Al-Aqsa Mosque—also known as Al-Haram Al-Sharif—during the holy month of Ramadan.

According to Maktoob Media, the ministers described the closures and associated security restrictions on access to the Old City of Jerusalem and its religious sites as a “flagrant violation” of international law, including international humanitarian law. They said these measures constitute an infringement on the right to worship and undermine the historical and legal status of the city’s holy sites.

The statement emphasized that Israel has no sovereignty over occupied Jerusalem or its Islamic and Christian holy sites and reaffirmed that the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, covering 144 dunams, is exclusively a Muslim place of worship. The ministers underscored that the Jerusalem Endowments and Al-Aqsa Mosque Affairs Department, under Jordan’s Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, is the only legal authority managing the site.

The ministers called on Israel to reopen the mosque gates, remove restrictions on entry to the Old City, and allow Muslims full access to worship. They also urged the international community to take action to stop ongoing violations and protect the sanctity of Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.