Malaysia Strongly Condemns Closure Of Al-Aqsa Mosque During Ramadan

PUTRAJAYA, March 12 (Bernama) -- Malaysia strongly condemns the continued closure of the gates of Al-Aqsa Mosque/Al-Haram Al-Sharif to Muslim worshippers by the Zionist Israeli regime, particularly during the holy month of Ramadan.

The Foreign Ministry said the discriminatory and arbitrary restrictions imposed on access to Jerusalem’s Old City and its places of worship constitute a grave violation of international law and international humanitarian law, as well as the historical and legal status quo governing the holy sites in Jerusalem.

“Such actions represent yet another provocation against Muslim worshippers and further escalate tensions in the Occupied Palestinian Territory,” it said in a statement  issued on Thursday.

The ministry said Malaysia unequivocally rejects these illegal and unjustified measures and condemns Israel’s continued attempts to undermine the sanctity and status of Al-Aqsa Mosque.

It added that Israel has no sovereignty over Occupied East Jerusalem or its Islamic and Christian holy sites.

“The entire 144 dunam (144,000 square metres) compound of Al-Aqsa Mosque/Al-Haram Al-Sharif is a place of worship for Muslims.

“The Jerusalem Waqf and Al-Aqsa Mosque Affairs Department, under the Jordanian Ministry of Awqaf, Islamic Affairs and Holy Places, remains the sole legitimate authority responsible for the administration of the site and the regulation of access to it,” it said.

Malaysia urges the international community to compel the occupying power to cease its ongoing violations and illegal practices against Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, and to respect the sanctity and the historical and legal status quo of these sacred places.

-- BERNAMA