Joint statement highlights multiple incidents, like the barring of Muslim worshippers from entering Al-Aqsa Mosque
Palestinians perform Friday prayer on the streets in East Jerusalem on March 27, 2026 as Israeli forces continue to impose restriction to Palestinians from entering the Dome of the Rock of Masjid Al-Aqsa in Jerusalem. PHOTO: ANADOLU
Pakistan, along with seven other Muslim countries, has strongly condemned ongoing Israeli restrictions on the freedom of worship for Muslims and Christians in occupied Jerusalem, particularly measures preventing Muslim worshippers from accessing 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 “condemn, in the strongest terms, and reject the continued restrictions imposed by Israel on the freedom of worship for 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 Freedom of Worship for Christians and Muslims
🔗⬇️ pic.twitter.com/WDWeMv1p1T
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) March 31, 2026
The ministers pointed to multiple incidents, including the barring of Muslim worshippers from entering Al-Aqsa Mosque/Al-Haram Al-Sharif and restrictions on Christian clergy seeking access to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, including during key religious observances 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 infringe upon “the unrestricted right of access to places of worship.”
The ministers also voiced concern over attempts to alter the longstanding arrangements governing religious sites in Jerusalem, stating that they “renewed their condemnation and rejection of any Israeli attempts to alter 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, holds no sovereignty over occupied Jerusalem.”
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Particular concern was raised over the reported closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque’s 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,” warning of “the dangers of these escalatory measures to regional and international peace and security.”
Reaffirming the religious status of the site, 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 cease the closure of the gates of Al-Aqsa Mosque, remove access restrictions in the Old City of Jerusalem, and refrain from obstructing Muslim worshippers’ access.”
They also urged the international community to take a firm stance to compel Israel to halt what they described as ongoing violations against Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.
