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Sheikh Ikrimah Sabri, preacher of Al-Aqsa Mosque and former Mufti of Jerusalem and the Palestinian territories, issued a fatwa calling on Muslims to perform Eid al-Adha prayer at the closest possible location to this holy site...
Fragments from ballistic missiles fired by Iran and debris from Israeli interceptors fell around Jerusalem's Old City, including near the Al-Aqsa Mosque, with Israel sharing an image of the shrapnel.
Muslims prayed in the streets outside Al-Aqsa Mosque to mark the holiest night of the month of Ramadan.
Eight Islamic and Arab countries have sharply criticized Israel for closing the Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan, deeming the action illegal and unjust and a violation of international law.
Drone video shows the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem empty on the third Friday of Ramadan, following Israeli restrictions on access to holy sites.
Authorities say the mosque will be closed to worshippers, visitors of all faiths on Friday amid spread of the conflict.
Thousands of worshippers attended prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque during the second Friday of Ramadan, with many others reportedly turned away despite having required permits, amidst Israeli restrictions.
Israel has fortified the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, prohibiting thousands of Palestinian Muslims aged 15-55 from the West Bank from entering Islam's third holiest site during Ramadan.
The first Friday prayers of the holy month of Ramadan were observed at the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, marking a significant religious event for Muslims.
• Pakistan asks international community to reject provocative decision allowing takeover of occupied land as state property • EU calls annexation illegal, Arab nations denounce ‘threat to peace efforts’ • Israel imposes restrictions, deploys police around Al-Aqsa JERUSALEM / ISLAMABAD: As Pakistan denounced the latest Israeli move to convert areas of the West Bank into “state property”, the UN chief called upon Tel Aviv to reverse its new, “unlawful” policy allowing registration of the occupied land in the occupied territory as state property. Israel’s foreign ministry claimed the measure, approved late on Sunday, would enable “transparent and thorough clarification of rights to resolve legal disputes” but the move drew strong condemnations from across the globe for its violation of international law. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said this new measure was destabilising and unlawful, according to a statement by his spokesman Stephane Dujarric. Pakistan also denounced the step as a clear violation of international law as well as relevant United Nations Security Council and General Assembly resolutions. Islamabad urged the international community to reject the decision, said a statement issued by the Foreign Office spokesperson. It added that the occupying power continued to disregard international law and its provocative actions undermined the prospects for a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace in the region. “Pakistan calls on the international community to take concrete measures to end Israeli impunity, and ensure respect for international law,” the spokesperson added. ‘Undermine peace efforts’ Arab nations Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar and Jordan also criticised the move as illegal. The measure is “aimed at imposing a new legal and administrative reality in the occupied West Bank” that would undermine peace efforts in the region, Saudi Arabia’s foreign affairs ministry said in a statement. Jordan’s King Abdullah II said the actions “undermine efforts to restore calm and threaten to exacerbate the conflict,” according to a statement released by the royal court. The European Union called on Israel to reverse the move. “This constitutes a new escalation after recent measures already aimed at extending Israeli control,” EU foreign affairs spokesman Anouar El Anouni said. “We reiterate that annexation is illegal under international law.” The Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority called for international intervention to prevent the “de facto beginning of the annexation process and the undermining of the foundations of the Palestinian state”. Israeli anti-settlement watchdog Peace Now called the measure a “mega land grab”. Jonathan Mizrachi, the NGO’s co-director, told AFP that the move would attribute new resources for land registration. “There was a lot of ambiguity regarding the land, and Israel decided now to deal with it,” Mizrachi said, adding that the grey area over Area C land ownership was likely to be used against Palestinians. “A lot of land that Palestinians consider theirs, they will find out it’s not theirs under this new registration process,” he said, believing the move would further the Israeli right’s annexation agenda. Changing demography Palestinians see the West Bank as foundational to any future Palestinian state, but many on Israel’s religious right want to take over the land. The latest Israeli initiatives come in the wider context of increasing attacks by Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank, according to rights groups. “We are witnessing rapid steps to change permanently the demography of the occupied Palestinian territory, stripping its people of their lands and forcing them to leave,” UN rights chief Volker Turk said in a recent statement. US President Donald Trump has opposed Israel’s annexation of the West Bank, saying stability in the territory helps keep Israel secure. However, he has held off from directly criticising the new Israeli measures, despite the international outrage. Excluding Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem, more than 500,000 Israelis live in West Bank settlements and outposts, which are illegal under international law. Around three million Palestinians live in the territory, which Israel has occupied since 1967. Al-Aqsa restrictions Israeli police said Monday that they would deploy in force around the Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramazan, as Palestinian officials accused Israel of imposing restrictions at the compound. Over the course of the month of fasting and prayer, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians traditionally attend prayers at Islam’s third-holiest site. Arad Braverman, a senior Jerusalem police officer, said forces would be deployed “day and night” across the compound, adding that thousands of police would also be on duty for Friday prayers. Braverman said police had recommended issuing 10,000 permits for Palestinians from the occupied West Bank, who require special permission to enter Jerusalem. The Palestinian Jerusalem Governorate said it had been informed that permits would again be restricted to men over 55. Published in Dawn, February 17th, 2026
KUALA LUMPUR, March 17 — Malaysia has called for the immediate reopening of the gates of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, urgin...
The closure of the Al-Aqsa Mosque has led to calls for a collective response, highlighting ongoing religious and political tensions in the region.
A rifle-wielding man, identified as a Lebanese immigrant who lost relatives in an Israeli strike in Lebanon, attacked a Detroit-area synagogue and was killed in a shootout. Police operations were underway following the gunfire exchange.
Malaysia condemns Al-Aqsa Mosque closure during Ramadan The Star | Malaysia
Israel cancels Friday prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque amid Iran conflict Daily Mirror - Sri Lanka
columnist Joel Mowbray argued that the claim is both unfounded and dangerous, noting that Chabad institutions and events have historically been targets of antisemitic violence.
Approximately 50,000 worshippers performed the Ramadan Taraweeh prayer at the Al-Aqsa Mosque, marking a significant gathering during the holy month.
Ramadan’s first Friday prayers are held at Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque AP News
As Palestinians welcome Ramadan, Israel is restricting the entry at Al-Aqsa Mosque to 10,000 worshippers.
Israeli police announced plans for a strong deployment around the Al-Aqsa Mosque during the holy month of Ramadan, which begins this week. Palestinians have reported increased curbs and restrictions in the area.
Jerusalem Braces For Unrest After Wartime Closure Of Al-Aqsa Mosque Through Ramadan Via Middle East Eye Israel is set to keep Al-Aqsa Mosque closed through the upcoming Muslim holiday…
Netanyahu may be hiding beneath Al-Aqsa Mosque, Former Egyptian Ambassador to Israel speculates Egypt Independent
Eight Islamic nations condemn Israel’s Al-Aqsa Mosque closure during Ramadan, calling it an illegal and provocative violation of international law. Read More: https://punchng.com/ramadan-muslim-nations-criticise-israel-for-al-aqsa-mosque-closure/
Saudi Arabia leads Arab and Islamic condemnation of continuing Israeli closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque Arab News
Israel cancels Friday prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque amid Iran conflict Daily Mirror - Sri Lanka
The Zionist entity has reportedly closed the Rafah crossing and Al-Aqsa Mosque, impacting movement and access in the region.
Dozens of Israeli settlers, under police protection, entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound during Ramadan and performed rituals, despite a ban on Jewish prayer there.
Israel has imposed restrictions on Palestinian access to the Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan.
Hundreds of residents in a Hong Kong public housing estate were evacuated in the early hours of Lunar New Year due to a suspected fire, which was later determined to be a false alarm caused by a cooking mishap.