MUSLIMS CANNOT REMAIN SILENT : ISRAELI ZIONIST AUTHORITIES CONTINUE TO BAR SENIOR IMAM OF AL AQSA MOSQUE AND RESTRICT MUSLIMS FROM PRAYING DURING RAMADHAN

JOINT PRESS RELEASE
1 st Ramadhan 1447
19th February 2026

MAPIM , MANAR and SHURAV, strongly condemns the continued actions of the Israeli occupation authorities in barring the Senior Imam of Al Aqsa Mosque and imposing severe restrictions on Muslim worshippers from accessing the holy sanctuary during the sacred month of Ramadhan.

These actions represent a blatant violation of the fundamental right to freedom of worship and constitute a deliberate provocation against the religious sensitivities of Muslims worldwide.

Preventing religious leaders and worshippers from entering one of Islam’s holiest sites during Ramadhan is not only oppressive but also reflects a systematic attempt to alter the status quo of Al Haram Al Sharif.

Al Aqsa Mosque holds profound spiritual significance for Muslims across the world. It is the first qiblah of Islam and the third holiest sanctuary after Makkah and Madinah. Any attempt to restrict access or intimidate worshippers is viewed as an attack on the collective dignity of the Muslim Ummah.

MAPIM stresses that the occupation authorities have repeatedly imposed discriminatory entry restrictions, particularly targeting Palestinians from the West Bank, Jerusalem and surrounding areas. These measures intensify during Ramadhan, a period when Muslims traditionally gather in large numbers for prayers and spiritual reflection.

Such policies are part of a broader pattern of violations, including incursions by extremist settlers into the mosque compound, harassment of worshippers and increased militarization around the sacred site. These actions escalate tensions and threaten regional stability.

We call upon:

1. The international community to take immediate action to ensure protection of freedom of worship at Al Aqsa Mosque.
2. The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to convene an urgent session to address the ongoing violations.
3. The United Nations to enforce relevant resolutions safeguarding religious rights in occupied territories.
4. Muslim governments worldwide to exert diplomatic pressure to halt restrictions and protect the sanctity of Al Aqsa.
5. Civil society organizations and religious institutions to mobilize peaceful advocacy and global awareness campaigns.

The continued obstruction of worship at Al Aqsa Mosque during Ramadhan is unacceptable and cannot be normalized. Silence in the face of such injustice only emboldens further violations.

We reiterate that protecting Al Aqsa Mosque is not solely a Palestinian responsibility but a collective duty of the Muslim Ummah and all defenders of religious freedom and human rights.

The Muslims cannot remain silent while sacred rights are violated.

Mohd Azmi Abdul Hamid
President
Majlis Perundingan Pertubuhan Islam Malaysia (MAPIM)

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

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