Bangladesh condemns Israeli attack on worshipers at Al Aqsa Mosque

News Desk

Bangladesh has vehemently denounced Wednesday’s attack by Israeli forces on worshipers at Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.

Expressing concern about violations of social norms, international human rights law and international norms, Dhaka said it believes religious freedom must be upheld to protect fundamental human rights, according to a foreign ministry press release issued on Thursday.

“Bangladesh believes that the freedom of religion must be held as a fundamental human right and the right of practising religious rituals, particularly in the holy month of Ramadan, must be ensured,” the release noted.

Israeli police attacked dozens of worshippers in Jerusalem’s Al Aqsa Mosque compound before dawn on Wednesday, witnesses said, in what Israeli police said was a response to rioting.

Israeli police said in a statement that they were forced to enter the compound after masked agitators locked themselves inside the mosque with fireworks, sticks and stones.

Violence in the occupied West Bank and Jerusalem has surged over the past year and there is concern that tensions could escalate this month, as the Muslim holy month of Ramadan coincides with Judaism’s Passover and Christian Easter.