Opposition condemns Al-Aqsa mosque closure, files emergency motion in Parliament

KUALA LUMPUR: Pakatan Harapan has filed an emergency motion in the Dewan Rakyat Wednesday to discuss the closure of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.

Opposition leader Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail (pic) said that a motion was submitted by Datuk Raja Kamarul Bahrin Shah Raja Ahmad (Amanah-Kuala Terengganu) on behalf of the Opposition coalition Wednesday to the Dewan Rakyat Speaker's office.

"This is an important public issue that involves the majority of the Muslim community and is close to our hearts.

"We are saddened that our fellow brothers and sisters are being treated this way," she told reporters in Parliament.

PAS filed a similar motion to the Dewan Rakyat Speaker through the office of its Temerloh MP Nasrudin Hassan Tantawi, calling for a united condemnation of Israel's actions.

The installation of metal detectors at the sensitive religious site near the Al-Aqsa Mosque had led to deadly clashes and uproar from Palestinians who see it as an Israeli attempt to assert control over the site.

PAS parliamentary affairs officer Syed Ahmad Fadhli said that although the metal detectors have since been removed, it was indicative of Israel's arrogance.

"This action is against international law," he said in a statement.

Malaysia had condemned Israel's closure of the mosque, saying that it had denied the rights of Muslims to perform Friday prayers there.

Wisma Putra in a statement said that the action by the Israeli authorities was a violation of international laws and norms.

Dr Wan Azizah urged the Federal Government to play a leading role at the international level in the efforts to stop any form of violations on the rights of Muslims at Al-Aqsa Mosque.