Bangladesh opposition leader and Jamaat-e-Islami amir Dr Shafiqur Rahman expressed deep concern and strongly condemned what he described as illegal entry, religious provocation and disorder at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound. In a press release sent to media on Friday, he said thousands of extremist Israeli settlers entered the compound under the leadership of Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.

Rahman said Al-Aqsa is the third holiest site and a symbol of faith for more than two billion Muslims worldwide. He described the settlers’ entry and the conduct of religiously provocative rituals, allegedly in breach of international law and the historical status quo, as an act of extreme incivility and open disregard for international rules.

He said obstructing Palestinian Muslims from prayers, mistreating elderly people and youths, and violating the sanctity of the compound were pushing the Middle East toward a wider conflict. Rahman called on the United Nations, the OIC, the peace-loving international community and Muslim heads of state to take effective legal and diplomatic measures. He also reaffirmed the Bangladeshi people’s support for Palestinians’ struggle for what he called their just rights.