Muslim nations criticise Israel for Al-Aqsa Mosque Ramadan closure

Eight Islamic and Arab countries on Thursday condemned Israel for keeping the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem closed during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

The foreign ministers of Pakistan, Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar called it "illegal and unjustified".

In a joint statement, they said the continued closure of the mosque was "a flagrant violation to international law... and the principle of unrestricted access to places of worship".

Palestinians warn that the move forms part of a broader Israeli strategy to exploit security tensions to impose further restrictions and consolidate control over Al-Aqsa Mosque.

The closure came under what Israeli authorities describe as a state of emergency, following its launch of a war with Iran on 28 February.