Maldives has in the strongest terms, condemned and denounced the recent statement by an Israeli Minister calling to build a synagogue inside the holy Al-Aqsa Mosque. 

In a statement publicized on Wednesday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed that the Al-Aqsa Mosque holds massive significance both spiritually and historically, among Muslim communities worldwide totaling 1.8 billion.

Further, the government of Maldives has asserted that the Al-Aqsa Mosque is not only an esteemed place of worship but is also a symbol of Islamic heritage.

With this, Maldives has urged the government of Israel to respect the historical and legal status of the holy mosque in accordance with international law and relevant United Nations (UN) resolutions.

Stressing that such provocative statements made by senior officials of Israel will undermine the efforts to reach a ceasefire in Gaza, the government highlighted that these remarks could potentially fuel religious conflict and churn further instability in the Middle East.

The ministry reiterated the Maldivian government’s call on the international community to urgently intervene to prevent any action that could change the legal status in Jerusalem and its holy sites.

Further, the government has urged the international community to take all necessary measures to protect the rights of the Palestinian people.

Maldives has and always will stand in firm solidarity with the Palestinian people in the pursuit of their inherent right to self-determination.

The island nation is resolute in its commitment to urging the establishment of a sovereign and independent State of Palestine, as per the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.