Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. The Indonesian government and a coalition of Arab and Islamic nations has issued a sharp condemnation of the Israeli regime’s decision to close the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex and prohibit worship during the holy month of Ramadan. 

In a joint statement released Thursday (14/3/2026) by the foreign ministers of Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the UAE, Qatar, Pakistan, Egypt, and Turkey, the coalition described the closure as an illegal and provocative violation of international law.

The Foreign Ministers affirm their total rejection and strong condemnation of this unjustified illegal step, as well as Israel's provocative actions at the Al-Aqsa Mosque and against worshippers,  the coalition said in a written statement reported by antaranews.com. 

It further asserted that Israel holds no sovereignty over occupied Jerusalem or the holy sites of Islam and Christianity, emphasizing that the Jordanian-led Jerusalem Waqf remains the sole legitimate entity authorized to manage and regulate access to the site.

The closure, which has entered its 11th consecutive day as of Wednesday, marks a dangerous precedent. For the first time since the 1967 occupation, the Muslim Tarawih and I'tikaf night prayers have been effectively banned. 

While Israeli authorities have cited security concerns related to ongoing regional conflicts, the international coalition argues that these discriminatory restrictions violate historical status quo agreements and the fundamental right to freedom of worship. 

The ministers have called upon the international community to take decisive action to ensure that access to the Old City is restored immediately.

(mg/inp/pr/rs)