International Condemnation of Al-Aqsa Mosque Closure
In a significant move, foreign ministers from eight Arab and Islamic nations have strongly condemned the ongoing closure of the Al-Aqsa Mosque by Israeli authorities, particularly during the holy month of Ramadan. They have labeled these actions as illegal and unjustified, reiterating their collective rejection of such measures. The joint statement issued by the foreign ministers of Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Egypt highlights the severe implications of restricting access to this sacred site for Muslims.
The ministers articulated their concerns regarding the persistent closure of the mosque's doors and the imposition of security restrictions on access to the Old City of Jerusalem, which they assert constitutes a blatant violation of international law, including humanitarian law, as well as the historical and legal status quo. They emphasized that these actions infringe upon the fundamental right of freedom of worship.
It is noteworthy that Morocco, despite its king, Mohammed VI, serving as the head of the Jerusalem Committee, was absent from the list of signatories endorsing this statement. The foreign ministers collectively condemned not only the mosque's closure but also the ongoing provocations faced by worshippers in and around Al-Aqsa. They stressed that Israel has no sovereignty over occupied Jerusalem or its Islamic and Christian holy sites.
The statement further asserted that the entire area of Al-Aqsa Mosque, which spans approximately 144 dunams, is exclusively a place of worship for Muslims. It clarified that the Jerusalem Awqaf and Al-Aqsa Affairs Administration, which operates under the Jordanian Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, is the sole legal authority responsible for managing the mosque and regulating access to it.
The ministers called upon Israel, as the occupying power, to immediately reopen the doors of Al-Aqsa Mosque and lift the restrictions imposed on access to the Old City of Jerusalem. They urged Israel to cease any actions that hinder Muslim worshippers from entering the mosque.
Moreover, the statement appealed to the international community to take a firm stance, compelling Israel to halt what they termed as violations and unlawful practices against Islamic and Christian sanctities in Jerusalem, and to respect the sanctity of these religious sites.
As reported by lakome2.com.
