Dar calls for Muslim unity to protect Al-Aqsa
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has urged Arab and Islamic countries to stand together to protect Al-Aqsa Mosque and defend the rights of the Palestinian people amid the worsening situation in occupied Jerusalem and the West Bank.
Speaking at a ministerial meeting on Jerusalem in Amman, Jordan, Dar said Muslim nations must adopt a united and coordinated approach to preserve the sanctity of Jerusalem’s holy sites. He stressed that immediate action is needed to stop violations at Al-Aqsa Mosque and maintain the site’s historical and legal status.
Dar said the international community must ensure unrestricted access to Jerusalem’s holy places and prevent any attempts to alter their religious or historical character. He added that continued Israeli actions threaten regional stability and undermine prospects for a lasting peace.
The foreign minister strongly opposed Israeli settlement expansion, annexation efforts, forced displacement of Palestinians and demographic changes in the occupied territories, including East Jerusalem. He said such measures violate international law and several United Nations Security Council resolutions.
He also called for the complete implementation of the Gaza peace plan and all relevant UN resolutions. Dar welcomed diplomatic efforts by the United States, Egypt, Qatar and Türkiye, expressing hope that all parties would honour their commitments and move the peace process forward.
Referring to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Dar said the ceasefire had brought limited relief, but conditions remained critical. He noted that millions of Palestinians continue to face severe food shortages, displacement and insecurity despite recent progress.
Dar urged Muslim countries to strengthen diplomatic efforts to ensure international protection for Palestinians and hold those responsible for violations of international law accountable. He said justice and respect for international law are essential for achieving sustainable peace.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s longstanding support for Palestine, Dar said Israel has no sovereignty over occupied East Jerusalem or its Islamic and Christian holy sites. He reiterated Pakistan’s support for the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state based on the pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.
The minister also warned that continued attacks on religious sites could inflame tensions across the Muslim world and increase the risk of wider regional conflict.
The ministerial meeting concluded with a joint declaration by Arab and Muslim foreign ministers announcing the creation of a permanent mechanism to document Israeli violations in Jerusalem and at its Islamic and Christian holy sites.
The mechanism will include a media platform to record incidents involving worshippers and religious sites and present documented evidence before international organisations and the global community.
The declaration reaffirmed that East Jerusalem remains an occupied territory and rejected all unilateral measures aimed at changing its legal or demographic status. It also stressed that a two-state solution remains the only viable path to lasting peace in the region.
On the sidelines of the meeting, Dar held separate discussions with the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Türkiye, Jordan and Somalia. The meetings focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation, reviewing regional developments and coordinating diplomatic efforts on the Palestinian issue.
