Al-Azhar headquarters in Cairo
A statement released on Tuesday by Al-Azhar said Ben-Gvir’s move constitutes a “provocative act” that inflames Muslim sentiments worldwide, represents a clear violation of Islamic sanctities, and is an attempt to undermine the historic and legal status of Jerusalem.
Al-Azhar reiterated its firm rejection of any measures aimed at imposing a new reality within the mosque, stressing that Al-Aqsa, in its entirety, is an exclusively Islamic endowment that must not be violated or diminished in any way.
Additionally, a separate statement by the Al-Azhar Observatory for Combating Extremism warned of reported plans to impose strict limits on worshippers and enforce “numerical parity” inside the holy site.
The observatory warned of Israeli plans, reported in Hebrew media, to regulate entry to the mosque by limiting worshippers to 150 individuals per group, alongside immediate evacuation procedures and increased police deployment to restrict large gatherings.
The observatory cautioned that such measures aim to advance a broader plan to divide the mosque temporally and spatially, while attempting to impose “numerical parity” between Muslim worshippers and Israeli groups entering the compound.
The observatory, which is a unit affiliated with Al-Azhar tasked with tracking extremist content online, warned that continued violations risk escalating tensions and destabilizing the region.
It called on the international community to assume its responsibilities in protecting Islamic holy sites and upholding the rights of the Palestinian people.
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