Unified diplomatic pressure grows as eight Muslim nations call the closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan a violation of international law and religious freedom.
WEB DESK: A major diplomatic rift has emerged after eight prominent Islamic countries jointly condemned Israel for the complete closure of the Al‑Aqsa Mosque during the holy month of Ramadan.
According to reports from Doha News, the foreign ministers of the United Arab Emirates, Türkiye, Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar issued a rare joint declaration criticizing the Israeli government’s security measures at the revered site in Jerusalem.
Violation of international law and historical status quo
The ministers described the move as a “flagrant violation of international law” and an infringement on the long-standing status quo governing holy sites in East Jerusalem. They argued that Israel, as an occupying power, does not hold sovereign authority to regulate worship conditions within the disputed territory.
The coalition also reaffirmed the legal authority of the Jerusalem Waqf, which oversees the 144-dunam compound surrounding Al-Aqsa. According to the statement, restricting worshippers during Ramadan undermines the Waqf’s mandate and breaches international humanitarian conventions.
Concerns over regional escalation
The timing of the closure has raised concerns across the Muslim world about potential unrest. While Israeli officials cited heightened security risks, the coalition of Muslim nations warned that restricting access during Ramadan could inflame religious tensions.
The ministers urged the international community to intervene and ensure immediate reopening of the mosque, stressing that freedom of worship must be protected despite ongoing geopolitical tensions in the region.
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