Muslim world condemns Israeli closure of al-Aqsa
According to Press TV, the Friday gunfight took place just outside the Haram al-Sharif (Temple Mount) and left three Palestinians martyred. Also two Israeli police officers were killed during the gunfight. Following the incident, Israeli police closed the al-Aqsa Mosque compound, briefly detained Sheikh Muhammad Hussein, the grand mufti of al-Quds, and cancelled Muslim Friday prayers at the site.
“We insist on reaching al-Aqsa mosque and performing prayers there. The occupation preventing us from praying marks an assault against our right to worship in this pure Islamic mosque,” Sheikh Muhammad said.
The measures taken by the Tel Aviv regime drew condemnations from the Muslim world.
Arab League, Jordan demand al-Aqsa reopening
The Arab League warned against the consequences of Israel’s “dangerous” closure of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and ban on Friday prayers.
In a statement released on Friday, the 22-member pan-Arab organization said the move would adversely affect the so-called peace process in the region and fuel conflict, terrorism and extremism.
It further called on Zionist regime to the immediately reopen al-Aqsa and avoid any attempt to change the historic status of the mosque, demanding the international community protect the Islamic and Christian sacred sites.
Additionally, Jordan, which serves as the custodian of the al-Aqsa Mosque compound, urged the reopening of the site and advised Israel to “refrain from taking any step aimed at changing” the status quo of al-Quds or the mosque compound.
“Jordan rejects any attack on the rights of Muslims,” Jordanian Government Spokesman Mohammad Momani said in a statement carried by the official Petra news agency on Friday.
Qatar wants global action
In a similar development, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry censured the Israeli closure of the al-Aqsa Mosque, prevention of prayers there and declaration of the area as a closed military zone as a severe violation of the sanctity of Islamic sites and a provocation to millions of Muslims around the world.
In a statement, the ministry called on the international community to assume its responsibility in halting these violations.
‘Aqsa’s historical status must be respected’
Meanwhile, the Turkish Foreign Ministry expressed regret over Friday’s incident, saying, “It is a humanitarian and legal obligation to respect the sanctity and historical status of the religious sites in the Israeli occupied East al-Quds, especially the Haram al-Sharif.”
The Haram al-Sharif should be opened to worshippers “via the immediate lifting of the entry ban imposed by Israel and calm should be attained as soon as possible,” it added.
Source: Pars Today
