Islamabad: Eight Muslim-majority states have expressed strong condemnation of the incursions by Israeli settlers into Al-Aqsa Mosque, Al-Haram Al-Sharif, under the protection of Israeli forces, and the raising of the Israeli flag within its courtyards. The Foreign Ministers of Pakistan, Egypt, Turkiye, Indonesia, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates issued a joint statement denouncing these actions as violations of international law and United Nations resolutions.

According to Radio Pakistan, the Ministers criticized the ongoing measures by Israel aimed at changing the historical, legal, and demographic character of occupied East Jerusalem, emphasizing the need to preserve the sanctity of both Islamic and Christian holy sites. They reaffirmed their rejection of any attempts to alter the status quo in Jerusalem, highlighting the role of the Hashemite custodianship in maintaining the sites’ historical and legal integrity.

The statement underscored that Al-Aqsa Mosque is a place of worship exclusively for Muslims and that the Jerusalem Endowments and Al-Aqsa Mosque Affairs Department, affiliated with Jordan’s Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, holds exclusive jurisdiction over the mosque’s administration. The group urged Israeli authorities to halt actions that exacerbate tensions and undermine peace efforts, calling for respect for the historical status quo.

The Ministers reiterated their support for the Palestinian people’s rights, including the establishment of an independent state along the 1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital. They also expressed commitment to efforts for a just and comprehensive peace based on a two-state solution in line with international law and the Arab Peace Initiative.