Aqsa Working Group condemns closure and restriction of access to Al-Aqsa Mosque

Jakarta (ANTARA) – The Aqsa Working Group (AWG) has strongly condemned Israel’s action of closing and restricting access to Al-Aqsa Mosque for Palestinian Muslims during the holy month of Ramadan.

According to a press statement from the Aqsa Working Group in Jakarta on Monday, the closure and access restrictions constitute violations of various international organisation resolutions.

“The Al-Aqsa Mosque complex is a world heritage historical site recognised by UNESCO since 1981 and protected by the status quo principle that guarantees its sanctity as a place of worship for Muslims,” the statement reads.

The Aqsa Working Group also demanded that all Muslim-majority countries worldwide that are members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) take concrete steps to protect Al-Aqsa Mosque and not merely issue condemnations.

The statement emphasised that the sacred Al-Aqsa Mosque complex is an integral part of Palestinian territory.

The Aqsa Working Group stated that the Palestinian people’s struggle is not only for the liberation of their land but also for the freeing of Al-Aqsa Mosque from Israel.

Previously, Israel cancelled Friday prayer services and imposed a total closure of all holy sites in the Old City of Jerusalem on Friday (6 March). The closure was carried out amid an ongoing conflict between Iran and the US-Israel alliance that has lasted more than a week.

The action was announced by Israeli Civil Administration head Brigadier General Hisham Ibrahim, citing security as the reason for the closure following a series of Iranian missile attacks that rained down on Israel in recent days.