Malaysia slams Israel’s ‘heinous’ closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque

SEREMBAN: Malaysia has described Israel’s move to close the Al-Aqsa Mosque as immoral and extremely heinous, saying it prevents Muslims from performing prayers at one of Islam’s holiest sites.

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said the action took place while Palestinians continued to face violence, including the killing of innocent women, children and civilians.

“In this month of Ramadan, they (Israel) have taken another heinous action by closing the Al-Aqsa Mosque to Palestinians who wish to perform their prayers. This is an immoral and most heinous act, as it prevents Muslims from accessing a place of worship.

“Malaysia strongly condemns this action, and I believe many other countries will also condemn this immoral act,” he told reporters after the Iftar with the Rembau Umno division leaders here on Thursday night (March 12).

Mohamad said Israel should immediately reopen the Al-Aqsa Mosque to allow Muslims, particularly Palestinians, to perform their prayers, including the obligatory prayers, tarawih and the upcoming Aidilfitri prayers.

On Thursday, Malaysia also strongly condemned the continued actions of the Zionist Israeli regime in closing the doors of the Al-Aqsa Mosque/Al-Haram Al-Sharif to Muslim worshippers, especially during Ramadan.

In a statement, the Foreign Ministry said the discriminatory and arbitrary restrictions on access to the Old City of Jerusalem and its places of worship constitute a clear violation of international law, as well as longstanding arrangements governing the holy sites in Jerusalem.

Meanwhile, the foreign ministers of Indonesia, Egypt, Jordan, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and the United Arab Emirates, in a joint statement yesterday, also urged Israel to immediately stop closing the entrances to the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound.

They also condemned the continued restrictions preventing Muslims from accessing the area, particularly during the holy month of Ramadan. – Bernama