MOI Urges Reopening of Al-Aqsa Mosque to Muslim Worshippers

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Majelis Ormas Islam (MOI) urged the reopening of Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem to Muslim worshippers during a demonstration in front of the US Embassy on Sunday. “Al-Aqsa Mosque is currently locked to Muslims, while Jews are allowed to enter it. This is something that we must address in the Islamic world, that there must be awareness in the Islamic world,” said MOI Presidium Chairman KH Nazar Haris. According to him, the demonstration, attended by thousands of people, serves as a call to the international community to immediately open access to the mosque for Muslims. “Defending, freeing, opening, and liberating Al-Aqsa Mosque for Muslims. This is something important. Therefore, today we are holding this action to start raising awareness in the Islamic world,” Nazar stated. “We remind that Al-Aqsa Mosque is one of the main mosques of Islam. Besides Masjid Al-Haram in Mecca and Masjid Nabawi in Medina, there is Masjid Al-Aqsa, even mentioned in the Quran,” Nazar added. ANTARA’s observation at the location at 08:30 WIB showed that the protest area, initiated by the Majelis Ormas Islam (MOI), filled Jalan Merdeka Selatan towards the west. The crowd swelled up to the Monas gate near Gambir Station. Thousands of protesters under the banner “Millions of Prayers for the Martyrs” wore garments, mostly white, with Indonesian and Palestinian attributes. Across from the US Embassy, next to the concrete barricade, stood an oration stage about two metres high. On the stage’s background, images of the three fallen TNI soldiers were displayed: Captain Inf Zulmi Aditya Iskandar, Staff Sergeant Muhammad Nur Ichwan, and Private First Class Fariza Rhomadhon.