Eight Muslim-majority nations, including Pakistan, have strongly condemned Israel for closing the gates of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and restricting Muslim worshippers from accessing the holy site during the holy month of Ramadan.
Pakistan and seven other Muslim-majority countries condemn Israel’s continued closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque gates to Muslim worshippers during Ramadan, calling the move a violation of international law. https://t.co/vKw5spbqyQ
— Arab News Pakistan (@arabnewspk) March 12, 2026
In a joint statement, the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar expressed their “absolute rejection and condemnation” of the move.
The countries said the closure of the mosque and restrictions on entry into the Al-Haram Al-Sharif compound violated international law and the historical status quo of religious sites in Jerusalem. The ministers urged Israel to immediately reopen the gates and allow Muslim worshippers unrestricted access to the holy site.
Importance of Al-Aqsa for Muslims
The Al-Aqsa Mosque, located in East Jerusalem, is the third-holiest site in Islam after Masjid al-Haram in Mecca and Al-Masjid an-Nabawi in Medina.
Every year during Ramadan, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians gather there for prayers, especially during the final Fridays of the holy month. The mosque complex is also home to the iconic Dome of the Rock, one of the most recognisable landmarks in Jerusalem.
The compound holds deep religious and cultural significance for Palestinians and has long been a symbol of their identity and struggle. As a result, any restrictions on access to the site often trigger strong reactions across the Muslim world.
Restrictions on Worshippers and Rising Concerns
Israeli authorities recently imposed strict limits on Palestinian worshippers, especially those travelling from the West Bank, citing security concerns. Key restrictions include:
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Entry is limited to 10,000 worshippers during Ramadan prayers
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Age restrictions for Palestinians from the West Bank
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Men are allowed only if 55 years or older
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Women are allowed only if 50 years or older
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Children permitted up to 12 years of age
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Increased deployment of Israeli police around the mosque compound
The eight countries called on the international community to take a firm stance and pressure Israel to stop what they described as “illegal practices” against religious sites in Jerusalem.
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