Qatar strongly condemned on Friday the Israeli authorities’ decision to ban Friday prayer at al-Aqsa Mosque for the first time since 1969.
Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a press release that closing the Mosque preventing worshipers from entering it and announcing it a military zone constitute “flagrant violations of the sanctity of Islamic holy sites”.
According to Qatar News Agency (QNA) the Ministry asked the international community to put an end to these violations.
Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman al-Thani who is currently visiting the Turkish capital Ankara stressed on Twitter his condemnation of the “unprecedented aggression” on al-Aqsa Mosque.
The Israeli authorities decided on Friday to ban prayer at al-Aqsa Mosque and close its gates until further notice after announcing it along with the Old City of Jerusalem a closed military zone.
Tension has prevailed in Jerusalem and its environs since the morning hours amid tightened military restrictions imposed by the Israeli police in the wake of an anti-occupation shooting attack carried out by three Palestinian youths near al-Aqsa Mosque.
