Jerusalem's Al Aqsa mosque under siege: A test of Muslim solidarity and Palestine’s future

By Syed Ali Mujtaba*

In the cacophony of Israel’s and the United States’ attack on Iran, one piece of news has been buried under the debris of war: Israel has closed the Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem to Palestinian worshippers during the holy month of Ramadan. The closure, announced as indefinite, affects the third most revered mosque in the Islamic world.

Al Aqsa Mosque is believed to be the site where Prophet Muhammad prayed during the miraculous Night Journey and Ascension (Isra’ and Mi’raj), a sacred event for Muslims dating back to around 621 CE. Since then, Palestinians of East Jerusalem have held the right to worship there—a right now seemingly forfeited in the aftermath of the Iran war.

The dispute over Al Aqsa intensified after the creation of Israel in 1948. Following the Six-Day War in 1967, Israel occupied East Jerusalem. Since then, Jewish groups have propagated claims that the mosque site is historically theirs. To manage tensions, international mediation established an Islamic Waqf to preserve the religious status of the site. Under this arrangement, Muslims retained access to the mosque, while Jews were given access to the Western Wall. Prayers continued uninterrupted at Al Aqsa until February 2026, when Israel, citing security concerns, closed the mosque.

On February 28, 2026, just before launching its attack on Iran, Israel took full control of the mosque. A near-total lockdown of Old Jerusalem followed, leaving Palestinian-run markets deserted and the area resembling a ghost town. Only residents of the Old City were allowed to move freely.

Israel has justified its war against Iran as part of a grand design to build a “Greater Israel,” expanding its boundaries into Egypt, Syria, Saudi Arabia, and Iran. Within this vision lies the plan to demolish Al Aqsa Mosque and construct Solomon’s Temple in its place.

The closure of Al Aqsa has raised alarm among Palestinians and the wider Muslim community. Heavy Israeli military presence surrounds the site, and surveillance cameras have been installed inside prayer halls, including the Dome of the Rock. Aouni Bazbaz, Director of International Affairs at the Islamic Waqf in Jerusalem, warned: “This has fuelled fears that what is presented as a temporary measure could gradually become permanent. The restrictions on praying in the mosque and the patterns of access to the site are being altered. This is a grave injustice to the Muslim community worldwide.”

Meanwhile, in Iran, Al Quds Day was observed on the last Friday of Ramadan. Since 1979, this day has symbolized solidarity with Palestinians and opposition to Israeli occupation of Jerusalem and Al Aqsa Mosque. Rallies were held in Tehran and other cities, though notably absent in much of the Arab world, which is traditionally considered the heart of Islam.

As the war rages, many Muslims look to Iran to fulfill its stated objective of liberating Palestinian land and reopening Al Aqsa Mosque. The Israel–US war against Iran, intended to cripple Iran’s military, achieve regime change, and fragment the country, appears to have backfired. Three weeks into the conflict, Israel faces existential challenges, while the United States is seen withdrawing from the Gulf region.

Iran did not initiate this war, but its trajectory has shifted dramatically. If Iran emerges victorious, many believe it will indeed open the gates of Al Aqsa Mosque.

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*Journalist based in Chennai

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