They stressed that Israel has no sovereignty over occupied Jerusalem or its Islamic and Christian holy sitesA general view of Al-Aqsa mosque compound, in Jerusalem. PHOTO: PIXABAYThe United Arab Emirates, Turkiye, Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar condemned the Israeli occupation authorities' continued closure of the gates of Al-Aqsa Mosque to Muslim worshippers, particularly during Ramazan. "The ministers affirmed their absolute rejection and condemnation of this illegal and unjustified measure, as well as Israel's continued provocative actions at Al-Aqsa Mosque / Al-Haram Al-Sharif and against worshippers," it added. The foreign ministers reiterated that the entire area of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, which amounts to 144 dunams, is a place of worship exclusively for Muslims. They called on Israel, as the occupying power, to immediately cease the closure of the gates of Al-Aqsa Mosque, remove access restrictions to the Old City of Jerusalem, and refrain from obstructing Muslim worshippers' access to the mosque.

Source: The Express Tribune March 12, 2026 10:29 UTC