Joint statement highlights several incidents such as the exclusion of Muslim worshipers from entering the Al-Aqsa Mosque
Palestinians perform Friday prayers on the streets of East Jerusalem March 27, 2026, as Israeli forces continue to impose restrictions on Palestinians entering the Dome of the Rock Masjid Al-Aqsa in Jerusalem. PHOTO: ANADOLU
Pakistan, along with seven other Muslim countries, has strongly condemned the ongoing Israeli restrictions on religious freedom for Muslims and Christians in occupied Jerusalem, particularly measures preventing Muslim worshipers from entering the Al-Aqsa Mosque/Al-Haram Al-Sharif.
A joint statement issued by the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Qatar said the countries “strongly condemn and reject the continued restrictions imposed by Israel on the religious freedom of Muslims and Christians in occupied Jerusalem,” read the statement shared on X.
🔊PR No. 8️⃣4️⃣/2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣6️⃣
Joint statement on the continued restrictions imposed by Israel on the religious freedom of Christians and Muslims
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— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) 31 March 2026
The ministers pointed to several incidents, including the exclusion of Muslim worshipers from entering the Al-Aqsa Mosque/Al-Haram Al-Sharif and restrictions on Christian priests seeking access to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, including during important religious holidays such as Palm Sunday.
They described these actions as “a flagrant violation of international law, including international humanitarian law,” as well as a breach of the legal and historical status quo, stressing that they violate “the unrestricted right of access to places of worship.”
The ministers also expressed concern over attempts to change the long-standing arrangements governing religious sites in Jerusalem, stating that they “renewed their condemnation and rejection of any Israeli attempt to change the legal and historical status quo at Muslim and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.”
They reiterated their “absolute rejection of the illegal and restrictive Israeli measures against Muslims and Christians in Jerusalem” and stressed that Israel “as the occupying power has no sovereignty over occupied Jerusalem.”
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Particular concern was raised over the reported closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque gates for an extended period, including during Ramazan. The ministers said the move “constitutes a serious violation of international law … and Israel’s obligations as the occupying power,” and warned of “the dangers of these escalating measures for regional and international peace and security.”
Confirming the site’s religious status, the statement noted that “the entire area of Al-Aqsa Mosque/Al-Haram Al-Sharif… is a place of worship exclusively for Muslims,” adding that the Jordanian Waqf authorities retain jurisdiction over its administration.
The ministers called on Israel to “immediately halt the closing of the Al-Aqsa Mosque gates, remove access restrictions in Jerusalem’s Old City and refrain from obstructing the entry of Muslim worshippers.”
They also called on the international community to take a firm stand to force Israel to stop what they described as ongoing violations against Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.
