Pakistan has joined forces with seven other Muslim-majority countries in a strong denunciation of recent Israeli activities at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, emphasizing that the sacred site must remain exclusively for Muslim worship.
During a weekly press briefing on Thursday, the Foreign Office spokesperson announced a joint ministerial declaration calling for an immediate halt to actions that undermine the historical and legal status of Al-Haram Al-Sharif.
This united diplomatic effort includes Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Türkiye, and Indonesia, responding to reports of Israeli settlers and officials entering the 144-dunam compound under armed escort.
The Foreign Office highlighted that these provocative entries violate international law, noting that the Jerusalem Waqf, overseen by the Jordanian Ministry of Awqaf, holds exclusive legal authority over the site’s administration.
In a significant development, the joint statement reaffirmed the commitment to a two-state solution based on the pre-June 1967 borders. The spokesperson reiterated that lasting peace in the region depends on establishing an independent and contiguous Palestinian state with East Jerusalem (Al-Quds Al-Sharif) as its capital.
This position underscores a collective rejection of Israeli settlement expansions in the occupied West Bank, which the eight nations labeled illegal and a threat to regional stability and the international rules-based order.
The communiqué also addressed the religious and symbolic importance of the Al-Aqsa compound, firmly rejecting any claims to Israeli sovereignty over the site. By declaring the entire area solely a place of Muslim worship, the coalition drew a clear boundary against efforts to change Jerusalem’s religious character.
Notably, this coordinated high-level response reflects Islamabad and its regional allies’ renewed determination to pressure the international community to protect Palestinian rights and preserve the sanctity of Islamic holy sites amid rising tensions.
