Israeli occupation authorities continue to close the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem, preventing worshippers from accessing it for the 15th consecutive day. The closure is being enforced under the pretext of security conditions related to the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.
اضافة اعلان
For the first time since 1967, the occupation has prohibited Muslims from performing prayers or observing I'tikaf (spiritual seclusion) at the mosque. Worshippers were notably absent during the final Friday of the holy month of Ramadan.
Warnings of Dangerous Escalation
The Jerusalem Governorate warned of a dangerous surge in provocative rhetoric led by extremist "Temple Mount" organizations during the closure. The Governorate emphasized that these actions are not merely temporary security measures as claimed by the occupation, but rather part of a political and ideological agenda aimed at altering the historical, religious, and legal status quo of the holy site.
Jordanian and International Condemnation
The Jordanian Minister of Awqaf, Islamic Affairs, and Holy Places, Mohammad Al-Khalayleh, reiterated Jordan’s condemnation of this unprecedented closure, labeling it a crime against the mosque and Muslims, especially during Ramadan.
Hashemite Custodianship: The Ministry reaffirmed that Al-Aqsa Mosque, in its entirety (144 dunams), is under the Hashemite Custodianship of His Majesty King Abdullah II. It stressed that the Jordanian Ministry of Awqaf is the sole authority responsible for the mosque’s administration and for deciding when to open or close its gates.
Diplomatic Action: Jordanian diplomacy is actively pursuing all necessary measures to reopen the mosque.
Joint Statement by Foreign Ministers
The foreign ministers of Jordan, the UAE, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Egypt issued a joint statement on Wednesday condemning the ongoing closure. The statement highlighted:
The closure is a blatant violation of international and humanitarian law.
The security restrictions on access to the Old City and places of worship constitute discriminatory and arbitrary measures.
The timing is particularly grave, as the closure coincided with the last ten days of Ramadan, the most sacred period of the month when the mosque typically sees its highest attendance.
The Jerusalem Governorate noted that while the squares of Al-Aqsa usually teem with tens of thousands of worshippers during these days, they now stand unprecedentedly empty—a sight not witnessed since the occupation began in 1967.
Source: Al-Mamlaka + Wafa
