Move afoot to change Al-Aqsa’s status

Lead

JERUSALEM — The Status Quo agreement that governs Jerusalem's holiest site, the al-Aqsa mosque compound, is facing a concerted challenge from Israeli nationalist figures and, according to multiple reports, tacit support from the Trump administration.

Reports from BBC and Dawn, a Pakistani English-language daily, describe a coordinated effort by Israeli officials, right-wing groups, and the United States to alter the long-standing arrangement under which the 35-acre compound — known to Muslims as al-Haram al-Sharif and to Jews as the Temple Mount — is reserved exclusively for Muslim prayer. The reports point to a possible formal redesignation of the site as a "multi-faith centre," a change that would overturn centuries of tradition and potentially inflame tensions across the region.

Coverage comparison

Both BBC and Dawn reported on the same core facts, but their framing differs notably. BBC's report, filed by Middle East correspondent Wyre Davies from Jerusalem, emphasises the actions of nationalist politician Moshe Feiglin, who was filmed praying and singing religious songs at the site with a group of about 20 Jewish worshippers. Feiglin told Davies that he intends to build a Jewish temple on the site, a statement that directly contradicts the Status Quo agreement and rabbinical law, which forbids Jews from praying on the Temple Mount.

Dawn's report, drawing heavily on BBC's findings, contextualises Feiglin's actions within a broader political campaign. It names Israel's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir as another leading figure, citing a video of him chanting "The Temple Mount is ours. It's in our hands!" while unfurling an Israeli flag at the compound. Dawn also reported an incident in which Israeli settlers allegedly torched two mosques in the occupied West Bank, a claim not carried by BBC.

Key claims

The Status Quo agreement, established after the 1967 Six-Day War and administered by the Jordanian Islamic Waqf, permits non-Muslims to visit the al-Aqsa compound but explicitly prohibits them from praying there. Both sources agree that this arrangement is now under threat. Moshe Feiglin, a right-wing nationalist politician, has openly stated his intention to build a new Jewish temple on the site, which has been a Muslim holy site for 1,400 years. He was filmed leading a group of about 20 religious Jews in prayers and songs at the compound, in direct violation of the agreement.

The site holds profound significance for both religions. For Muslims, it is from where the Prophet Muhammad is believed to have ascended to heaven; for Jews, it is the location of the ancient Temples, and the adjacent Western Wall is the holiest site in Judaism. The Dome of the Rock, with its gold-covered dome, dominates the site and is a symbol of Jerusalem's skyline.

Reports from both sources suggest that Israeli officials and right-wing groups are working with the United States to abandon the Status Quo. Dawn specifically reports that the Israeli government intends to formally designate the compound as a "multi-faith centre," a move that would effectively allow non-Muslim prayer at the site. BBC's report notes that senior Israeli officials appear to be supporting efforts by nationalist activists, with the aim of asserting Jewish control over the site.

However, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has publicly stated he has no knowledge of any joint US-Israeli coordination on this issue. His denial has not been independently verified, and both sources suggest that the perception of US support remains a concern for those who wish to preserve the Status Quo.

Perspectives

The developments have been met with alarm across the Muslim world and among many international observers. Dawn's report describes the campaign as "brazen" and "audacious," and warns of the potential for igniting sectarian conflict. The Palestinian leadership and the Jordanian government, which has custodianship of the site, have long warned that any change to the Status Quo would be a red line.

Supporters of the nationalist campaign argue that the site has historical and religious significance for Jews that predates the Muslim conquest, and that Jewish worship there should be permitted. They frame their actions as an assertion of religious freedom rather than a violation of agreements.

Israeli authorities have historically upheld the Status Quo, but the current political climate, with a right-wing coalition in power, has emboldened activists. The presence of Itamar Ben-Gvir, who holds a key security portfolio, is seen as a significant escalation.

Conclusion

The Status Quo at al-Aqsa is an arrangement of extraordinary delicacy, one that has held for decades despite deep-seated religious tensions. The actions described in these reports — open flouting of the rules by nationalist politicians, combined with reports of administrative moves to change the site's designation — suggest a deliberate strategy to rewrite that arrangement. Whether this occurs with overt US support or not remains a point of contention, with Secretary Rubio denying any coordination. What is clear is that the issue remains one of the most emotionally charged and potentially destabilising flashpoints in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.