标签： Asia

Israeli authorities have prolonged the shutdown of Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque, one of Islam’s most sacred sites, until at least April 15th, according to exclusive information obtained by Middle East Eye. This extension marks nearly a month of continuous closure, an unprecedented duration since Israel’s occupation of East Jerusalem in 1967.

Official communications on Wednesday confirmed that Israeli officials notified the Jordanian-appointed Jerusalem Islamic Waqf, the administrative body overseeing the mosque, about the decision. The timeline beyond mid-April remains uncertain, with no guarantees of reopening. Israeli justification cites public safety concerns stemming from its military engagement with Iran that commenced on February 28th.

Palestinian authorities and local worshippers strongly contest these claims, alleging that security pretexts mask a strategic effort to solidify Israeli control over the holy compound. This perspective gains traction amid ongoing initiatives to expand Jewish presence at the site while simultaneously restricting Palestinian access.

The situation presents stark contrasts: while Jerusalem’s Old City remains under near-total lockdown, daily life in other parts of the city continues normally, including large gatherings and religious events. Critics highlight additional concerns regarding Palestinian safety, noting both the absence of adequate air raid shelters and the irony that Al-Aqsa itself contains underground facilities capable of sheltering hundreds during emergencies.

International condemnation has been swift and widespread. The Palestinian Authority, multiple Muslim nations including Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE, Indonesia, and Pakistan, alongside prominent religious leaders, have denounced the closure. Ekrima Sabri, former Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, condemned the measures as ‘unjustified’ and ‘illegal,’ asserting they violate worship freedoms and undermine the Waqf’s administrative authority.

The Jerusalem Governorate characterized the closure as an ‘unprecedented escalation’ and accused Israel of implementing ‘dangerous Judaisation measures.’ These actions, they argue, constitute severe breaches of international humanitarian law and disrupt the established status quo governing holy sites. Israel’s control over East Jerusalem remains internationally contested, with many legal experts considering it a violation of international law prohibiting permanent changes in occupied territories.

In a significant demonstration of regional solidarity, the Republic of Azerbaijan has mobilized substantial humanitarian assistance for the people of Iran pursuant to direct instructions from President Ilham Aliyev. The comprehensive aid package, meticulously coordinated by Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Emergency Situations, comprises approximately 30 metric tons of essential supplies destined for neighboring Iran.

The relief consignment includes critical food staples and medical provisions, with detailed allocations featuring 10 tons of flour, 6 tons of rice, 2.4 tons of sugar, over 4 tons of potable water, and approximately 600 kilograms of tea. Additionally, the shipment contains nearly 2 tons of vital pharmaceuticals and medical equipment to address healthcare needs.

Emil Hasanzade, Director of the Reserves Control Department at Azerbaijan’s State Reserves Agency, confirmed that the humanitarian convoy has already commenced its journey toward Iranian territory. The assistance initiative originated from a March 8 telephone discussion between President Aliyev and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, during which the Azerbaijani leader pledged support for Iran’s current requirements.

To ensure the seamless delivery of these critical supplies, authorized representatives from Azerbaijan’s Cabinet of Ministers—Niyazi Rahimov and Gurban Sadigov—are personally accompanying the aid convoy to its destination in the Iranian border city of Astara. This diplomatic gesture underscores the continuing cooperation between the two neighboring nations despite regional complexities.

At the Boao Forum for Asia 2026, prominent scholar Kishore Mahbubani issued a stark warning to Western nations regarding their resistance to reforming global economic institutions. The founding dean of the Lee Kuan Ywan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore characterized Western obstruction as a “grave strategic error” that contradicts both global economic realities and the West’s own long-term interests.

Mahbubani framed the current moment as a historical turning point, marking “the end of a 200-year cycle” of Western domination in world history and signaling Asia’s remarkable return to global prominence. He emphasized that this fundamental shift requires corresponding changes in global economic governance structures that extend beyond short-term political pressures.

The academic highlighted striking statistical evidence demonstrating the disconnect between economic reality and institutional representation. While China’s economy has grown to match the entire European Union’s economic output—a dramatic reversal from 2000 when the EU’s GNP was six times larger—voting power within the International Monetary Fund remains heavily skewed. The EU maintains approximately 26-27% of IMF voting shares compared to China’s mere 6%.

Mahbubani noted that despite this imbalance, China and other Global South nations have taken a constructive approach by seeking to reform existing institutions rather than dismantling them. He observed that the major frameworks of global governance—including the IMF, World Bank, and WTO—were originally conceived and established by Western powers based on Western conceptual foundations.

The scholar made the case that accommodating greater representation for emerging economies actually serves Western interests by preserving the relevance and legitimacy of these institutions. He contrasted this with the more disruptive alternative where rising powers might choose to reject existing frameworks entirely and establish competing systems.

Mahbubani concluded with an appeal for Western policymakers to recognize the strategic wisdom in embracing institutional evolution, suggesting that allowing greater Global South participation ultimately strengthens rather than weakens the international economic order.