Joint statement highlights several incidents, such as banning Muslim worshipers from entering Al-Aqsa Mosque
Palestinians perform Friday prayers on the streets of East Jerusalem on March 27, 2026 as Israeli forces continue to impose restrictions on Palestinians entering the Dome of the Rock of Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. PHOTO: ANADOLU
Pakistan, along with seven other Muslim countries, strongly condemned Israel’s restrictions on the freedom of worship of Muslims and Christians in occupied Jerusalem, particularly measures preventing Muslim worshipers from accessing 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, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar said the countries “condemn, in the strongest possible terms, and reject Israel’s continued restrictions on the freedom of worship of Muslims and Christians in occupied Jerusalem,” the statement shared on X read.
🔊PR No.8️⃣4️⃣/2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣6️⃣
Joint Statement on Israel’s Continued Restrictions on the Freedom of Worship of Christians and Muslims
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— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) March 31, 2026
The ministers highlighted multiple incidents, including the ban on Muslim worshipers entering the 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 celebrations such as Palm Sunday.
They described these actions as “a flagrant violation of international law, in particular international humanitarian law”, as well as a breakdown of the legal and historical status quo, stressing that they undermine “the right of unrestricted access to places of worship”.
The ministers also expressed concern over attempts to change long-standing arrangements governing religious sites in Jerusalem, saying they “renewed their condemnation and rejection of any Israeli attempts to change the legal and historical status quo at Muslim and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.”
They reiterated their “absolute rejection of 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 expressed over the reported closure of the gates of Al-Aqsa Mosque for a prolonged 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 for 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 stop closing the gates of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, remove restrictions on access to the Old City of Jerusalem and refrain from obstructing access for Muslim worshipers.”
They also urged the international community to take a firm stance to compel Israel to end what they described as continued violations against Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.
