CONDEMN ISRAEL’S RESTRICTIONS ON AL-AQSA DURING RAMADAN – A BLATANT VIOLATION OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM

JOINT PRESS RELEASE

Date: 27th February 2025

The Malaysian Consultative Council for Islamic Organizations (MAPIM) , Alliance of World Mosques in Defence of Al Aqsa ( MANAR ) and the Secretariate for the Assembly of Ulama of Asia ( SHURA ) strongly condemn Israel’s oppressive measures to limit Palestinian access to Al-Aqsa Mosque during the holy month of Ramadan. The Israeli occupation’s decision to restrict worshippers to only 10,000 people on Fridays is a blatant violation of religious freedom and a direct provocation to Muslims worldwide.

A Dangerous Escalation Against Al-Aqsa

Israel’s ongoing efforts to impose control over Al-Aqsa Mosque, including restricting entry for worshippers and facilitating illegal settler incursions, represent:

● A grave violation of international law and religious freedom.

● A clear attempt to alter the Islamic identity of Al-Aqsa.

● A provocation aimed at escalating tensions in Palestine and the Muslim world.

We echo Hamas’s strong condemnation of these restrictions, which they have rightly called “a new escalation against the Palestinian people and their holy sites.” The Israeli occupation’s actions are a desperate attempt to impose false control over Al-Aqsa, but history has shown that such measures will never erase the mosque’s identity nor break the resolve of the Palestinian people.

Al-Aqsa is an Islamic Endowment – No Compromise on Its Status

We fully support the Palestinian people’s right to unrestricted access to Al-Aqsa Mosque and reject any Israeli attempt to control or limit Muslim worship. As Hamas has emphasized, Al-Aqsa is an exclusive Islamic endowment and must remain free from occupation.

We hold Israel fully responsible for any escalation that may result from these violations and warn that such actions will only fuel further resistance against occupation and apartheid policies.

Call to Action – Defending Al-Aqsa is a Duty

We join the call for the Muslim Ummah to:

1. Mobilize in defence of Al-Aqsa and stand against Israeli aggression.
2. Pressure international bodies, including the OIC and UN, to take immediate action.
3. Support Palestinians in their efforts to intensify their presence at Al-Aqsa and resist any attempt to impose Israeli control.

We stand in full solidarity with the Palestinian people and affirm that Al-Aqsa will never be abandoned. The entire Muslim world must unite against this blatant aggression and ensure that Israel’s apartheid regime is held accountable.

Mohd Azmi Abdul Hamid
President MAPIM

Datuk Seri Ahmad Awang
Chair Alliance of World Mosques in Defence of Al Aqsa ( MANAR )

Dato’ Wira Dr Syekh Abdul Ghani Samsudin
Chair Secretariate for the Assembly of Ulama of Asia ( SHURA )