Al-Aqsa mosque is the third holiest mosque in Islam; attacking it is an attack on every Muslim.

Places of worship such as mosques, churches and synagogues are sanctuaries, and should be respected in all circumstances. When soldiers invade holy places and show no respect to the worshippers, they are not just transgressing against human rights and international law, but against God, as mosques are God’s Houses.

We strongly condemn the attack against al-Aqsa mosque, and the displacement of the Palestinians in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood of East Jerusalem.

We also denounce the targeting of innocent civilians from both sides, especially children. We call for an immediate ceasefire to solve the conflicts through dialogue and negotiation. We pray that wisdom prevails and our oppressed brothers and sisters in Palestine are protected.