MALAYSIA CONDEMNS CLOSURE OF AL-AQSA MOSQUE BY ISRAELI AUTHORITIES
Malaysia condemns in the strongest terms the closure of the al-Aqsa Mosque on 14 July 2017 by the Israeli authorities. The action by the Israeli authorities in preventing Muslim worshipers from entering the mosque is a violation of international laws and norms. This is the first time since 1969 that Muslim worshipers are banned from performing Friday prayers in the al-Aqsa Mosque.
The provocative action by Israel constitutes a flagrant violation of the sanctity of Islamic holy sites and a serious violation of Muslims’ rights to perform their religious rituals in their holy places free from any restrictions. The freedom to worship is a right guaranteed under the international law and any violation of that right should be opposed.
Malaysia also demands that Israel immediately re-open the al-Aqsa Mosque to the Muslim worshipers and cease any actions that would change the status quo of the Islamic holy site.
PUTRAJAYA
15 JULY 2017