Islamabad: Pakistan and seven other Muslim countries have issued a strong condemnation against the ongoing Israeli restrictions on worship for Muslims and Christians in occupied Jerusalem. This includes the prevention of access for Muslim worshippers to the Al-Aqsa Mosque.

According to Radio Pakistan, a joint statement was released by the Foreign Ministers of Pakistan, Egypt, Jordan, United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar. The statement articulated their collective denunciation of any Israeli efforts to alter the legal and historical status quo of Muslim and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.

The joint statement highlighted that these Israeli actions are a violation of international law and international humanitarian law. The actions also infringe upon the unrestricted right to access places of worship, as per the ministers.

The Foreign Ministers emphasized their firm rejection of illegal and restrictive measures imposed by Israel against Muslims and Christians in Jerusalem. This includes the prevention of Christians from accessing the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to conduct their religious practices.

They underscored the importance of respecting the legal and historical status quo in Jerusalem and its holy sites. The ministers reiterated that Israel, as the occupying power, does not have sovereignty over occupied Jerusalem, and they stressed the need to halt measures that prevent worshippers from accessing their places of worship.

Further, the ministers stated that the entire area of Al-Aqsa Mosque/Al-Haram Al-Sharif is a place of worship exclusively for Muslims. They recognized the Jerusalem Endowments and Al-Aqsa Mosque Affairs Department, under the Jordanian Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, as the sole legal entity managing the affairs and regulating entry to the Al-Aqsa Mosque/Al-Haram Al-Sharif.

They called upon Israel to immediately open the gates of Al-Aqsa Mosque/Al-Haram Al-Sharif and remove access restrictions in the Old City of Jerusalem. Additionally, the ministers urged the international community to take a firm stance to compel Israel to cease its violations and illegal practices against Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.