AWG Urges OIC to Take Concrete Action Over Al-Aqsa Closure

Jakarta, MINA – The Aqsa Working Group (AWG), an Indonesian-based movement organization focused on Al-Aqsa Mosque and Palestine has urged member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to take concrete steps to protect Al-Aqsa Mosque, following the Zionist Israeli policy of completely blocking Palestinian Muslims’ access to the holy compound during the holy month of Ramadan 1447 H.

In an official statement received by MINA on Tuesday, AWG Presidium Chairman M. Anshorullah emphasized that the Zionist Israeli action of closing Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan constitutes a serious violation of Palestinian Muslims’ right to worship.

According to him, the closure of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound by Zionist Israel during Ramadan 1447 H is a deeply concerning event as it marks the first time in the history of Ramadan at the holy site that such a closure has occurred.

AWG views this policy as part of the systematic Judaization of Al-Aqsa Mosque and the de-Islamization of Baitul Maqdis and Palestine, continuously carried out by Zionist Israel.

“The closure and restriction of Palestinian Muslims’ access to Al-Aqsa Mosque during the holy month of Ramadan under fabricated pretexts is an effort to prevent Muslims from worshiping at Al-Aqsa Mosque,” Anshorullah said in the AWG statement.

Additionally, AWG highlighted various Zionist Israeli actions against Islamic holy sites in Palestine, including attempts to convert the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron into a synagogue and the destruction of thousands of mosques in Gaza since October 7, 2023.

AWG emphasized that any form of desecration of Al-Aqsa Mosque is not only an insult to Muslims worldwide but also constitutes a violation of various international institution resolutions. The Al-Aqsa Mosque compound has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981 and is protected by the principle of status quo that guarantees its sanctity as a place of worship for Muslims.

Therefore, AWG urges OIC member states not to merely issue condemnations but to take concrete steps to protect Al-Aqsa Mosque.

“All Muslim-majority countries within the OIC must take real action to protect Al-Aqsa Mosque, not just condemnations, because the sanctity of this holy compound is the responsibility of the entire Muslim ummah, not just the Palestinian people,” Anshorullah said.

AWG also called upon Muslims worldwide to continue paying attention to Al-Aqsa Mosque and strengthen the unity of the ummah as a path to liberate Al-Aqsa Mosque and achieve Palestinian independence.

In the statement, AWG affirmed that the Al-Aqsa Mosque holy compound is an inseparable part of Palestinian land. Therefore, the Palestinian people’s struggle against Zionist Israeli occupation is not only for the independence of their land but also to liberate Al-Aqsa Mosque.

AWG also called upon the Palestinian people, as the frontline defenders of Al-Aqsa Mosque, to remain steadfast, patient, and strengthen national unity to accelerate Palestinian independence and the liberation of Al-Aqsa Mosque from occupation.

Restrictions and complete closure of access to Al-Aqsa Mosque by Zionist Israel have now entered their 10th day during the holy month of Ramadan 1447 H, with tight security and restrictions on Palestinian worshipers wishing to pray at the holy compound. Many Palestinians have reportedly been held at military checkpoints around Jerusalem and not permitted to enter the Al-Aqsa Mosque area.

The OIC has also expressed concern and condemnation over the complete closure by Zionist Israel of Muslims’ access to Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan. The organization emphasized that such actions constitute a violation of freedom of worship and have the potential to worsen tensions in occupied East Jerusalem and Palestine.[]

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)