Pakistan and seven nations issue stern warning over Al-Aqsa ‘Sanctity’

WEB DESK: Pakistan has joined seven other Muslim-majority nations in a scathing condemnation of recent Israeli actions at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, reaffirming that the holy site remains an exclusive place of worship for Muslims.

During a weekly press briefing on Thursday, the Foreign Office spokesperson confirmed a joint ministerial statement demanding an immediate cessation of activities that violate the historical and legal status quo of the Al-Haram Al-Sharif.

The unified diplomatic front comprising Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Türkiye, and Indonesia was mobilised following reports of settlers and Israeli officials entering the 144-dunam site under armed protection.

The Foreign Office stressed that such “provocative” incursions are a blatant breach of international law, particularly as the Jerusalem Waqf, under the Jordanian Ministry of Awqaf, is the sole legal authority mandated to manage the compound’s affairs.

Upholding the 1967 border mandate

Central to the joint communiqué is the unwavering demand for a two-state solution based on the pre-June 1967 borders.

The spokesperson reiterated that any sustainable peace in the region is contingent upon the establishment of an independent and contiguous Palestinian state, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif (East Jerusalem) as its rightful capital.

This stance highlights a collective rejection of recent Israeli settlement expansions in the occupied West Bank, which the eight nations described as “illegal” and a direct threat to regional stability and the “rules-based international order.”

Preserving the status quo of Al-Haram Al-Sharif

The statement specifically addressed the symbolic and religious significance of the Al-Aqsa compound, dismissing any claims to Israeli sovereignty over the site.

By defining the entire area as “solely a place of Muslim worship,” the diplomatic bloc has sought to draw a clear line against attempts to alter the religious identity of Jerusalem.

This latest high-level coordination signals a renewed effort by Islamabad and its regional partners to exert collective pressure on the international community to safeguard Palestinian rights and the sanctity of Islamic holy sites against escalating tensions.