Closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque Constitutes Serious Violation of International Law

Jakarta — The head of the Indonesian Council of Ulamas (MUI) Foreign Relations and International Cooperation division, Professor Sudarnoto Abdul Hakim, has stated that regarding the closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque and the prohibition of Islamic worship, the MUI strongly condemns the actions of Zionist Israel.

“This action constitutes a serious violation of international law, an affront to religious freedom, and a concrete manifestation of discriminatory and repressive policies towards Muslims in Palestine,” Sudarnoto told Republika on Tuesday, 17 March 2026.

He stated that Al-Aqsa Mosque is one of the most important sacred sites for Muslims worldwide and is located in Palestinian territory occupied by Israeli aggressors. Therefore, all restrictions, closures, and prohibitions on worship lack legal legitimacy and form part of the occupation’s oppressive policies against the Palestinian people.

The closure and prohibition of worship at Al-Aqsa Mosque constitute violations of various principles and instruments of international law, including breaches of freedom of religion and worship as guaranteed under Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) and Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which guarantee every individual’s freedom to practise their religion and worship.

“Furthermore, these actions violate the obligations of the occupying power under the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949, which requires occupying forces to respect religious life and protect places of worship in occupied territories,” he stated.