Jakarta: The President of OIC Youth Indonesia, Astrid Nadya Rizqita, who also serves as the ICYF Regional Model OIC Coordinator for Asia, strongly condemned the closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque in Al-Quds (Jerusalem), Palestine, by Israeli occupation authorities during the holy month of Ramadan. The policy is viewed as a direct obstruction to Muslims seeking to perform their religious duties at one of Islam’s holiest sites.
OIC Youth Indonesia, as a civil society platform representing various Islamic youth organizations across Indonesia, considers this act a serious violation of international law, including the fundamental right to freedom of religion and worship. It also contravenes the obligations of an occupying power as stipulated under the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and other international human rights instruments.
This position aligns with the official communiqué issued following the Emergency Open-Ended Meeting of the Executive Committee of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) at the level of Foreign Ministers held on 26 February 2026 in Jeddah, as well as the statement of the OIC General Secretariat dated 7 March 2026.Such consistency reflects that restrictions on access to worship at Al-Aqsa Mosque have become a matter of grave concern for the Muslim world and the broader international community.
OIC Labels It a Grave Violation
On 14 March 2026, the Secretary-General of the OIC, Hissein Brahim Taha, in official letters addressed to UN Secretary-General António Guterres and senior European Union officials, strongly condemned the closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque, describing it as a grave violation of international law and a threat to international peace and security. The OIC firmly rejects any attempts to alter the historical and legal status of the holy sites in Al-Quds and calls for immediate international intervention to ensure freedom of worship and an end to ongoing violations.
“The closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque is not only a violation of religious freedom but also a manifestation of the structural injustice continuously faced by the Palestinian people.This is a universal humanitarian issue that demands a firm response from the international community,” said Astrid.
The OIC further reaffirmed that Al-Aqsa Mosque / Haram al-Sharif, in its entirety, is an exclusive place of worship for Muslims and must have its historical and legal status fully respected.Any attempt to alter its status, character, or access constitutes a violation of international legal principles, including the prohibition of the acquisition of territory by force.
Call for Global Action Strengthens
Astrid further emphasized that such actions risk exacerbating regional tensions, deepening the humanitarian crisis, and wounding the sentiments of Muslims worldwide.
In an increasingly fragile geopolitical climate, restrictions on access to holy sites may trigger broader escalation and instability.
As part of the global Muslim youth community, and rooted in Indonesia’s role as a founding member of the OIC, OIC Youth Indonesia reaffirmed its commitment to remain at the forefront in advocating for justice, humanity, and global peace.
“Al-Aqsa Mosque is not only a spiritual symbol, but also a symbol of justice that must be upheld”
“OIC Youth Indonesia calls on Muslim youth across the world not to remain silent. Solidarity, advocacy, and global awareness must be strengthened. Defending Al-Aqsa Mosque and the independence of Palestine is a shared moral responsibility,” she added.
In this regard, OIC Youth Indonesia calls upon the international community, particularly the United Nations, to take concrete and decisive measures to ensure the protection of holy sites and guarantee freedom of worship.
The organization also urges OIC Member States, including the Government of the Republic of Indonesia, to strengthen diplomatic coordination and collective action in safeguarding the rights of the Palestinian people, while encouraging global civil society to elevate this issue as a shared humanitarian agenda.
