Turkey Condemns Closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque, Calls for Muslim Nations to Act

Turkish government officials have called on Muslim nations worldwide to take action against Israeli authorities’ recent closure of access to Al-Aqsa Mosque to Palestinians. Turkey has condemned the blockade of the first qibla of Islam.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated that the Israeli authorities lack legal standing to close Al-Aqsa to Muslims in Palestine. Fidan characterised the closure as a repeated crime by Israel and a provocative action.

“The closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque by Israel for worship is an extremely dangerous act. This dangerous provocation by Israel must be stopped immediately. They should show respect for holy sites that represent the shared responsibility of all humanity,” Fidan said, as quoted by Anadolu Agency on Saturday, 14 March 2025.

“We (Turkey) call on the international community and Islamic nations to take action. Global actors must take urgent steps as a serious response to Israel’s ongoing crimes,” he added.

Israeli authorities have closed access to Al-Aqsa Mosque to Palestinian Muslims in recent days. The closure has occurred whilst Muslims are currently observing the fasting month of Ramadan. As a result, Palestinians are unable to perform obligatory prayers or the Tarawih night prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque, which is the third holiest site in Islam.

The closure has been enforced by Israeli military personnel, assisted by troops wearing American insignia. The closure has also taken place amid ongoing conflict between Israel and the United States against the Islamic Republic of Iran.