Dear [Recipient],
I am writing to express deep concern regarding the ongoing restrictions imposed on Palestinian worshippers attempting to access Al‑Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem.
For over a month, access to the site has been severely limited. During Ramadan, when the compound should be filled with prayer, Israeli authorities restricted entry, erected checkpoints, and used force to disperse people attempting to worship, even outside the compound. These restrictions continued through Eid and are now expected to remain in place until mid‑April. These measures form part of a long‑standing system that controls who may enter Al‑Aqsa, when, and under what conditions, routinely denying Palestinians their basic right to worship.
The Jerusalem Governorate has also warned of organized settler efforts to carry out animal sacrifices inside or around the compound—an act that would be a direct provocation and a threat to the sanctity of one of Islam’s holiest sites. These actions occur alongside years of incursions, attacks on worshippers, and attempts to weaken the custodial authority of the Islamic Waqf, which administers the site. International law is clear that East Jerusalem is Occupied Palestinian Territory, and an occupying power has no sovereignty to impose permanent changes on religious or cultural sites.
Canada has consistently affirmed the importance of protecting freedom of religion or belief, upholding international humanitarian law, and preserving the historic status quo of holy sites in Jerusalem. Thus I urge the Government of Canada to:
1. Defend the right of Palestinian Muslims to access and worship at Al‑Aqsa Mosque
2. Oppose actions that alter the historic and legal status of the site
3. Press for the immediate reopening of Al‑Aqsa to worshippers
4. Support international efforts to protect religious freedom and prevent escalation.
I urge you to immediately act as in addition to Palestinian Muslims, Palestinian Christians face restrictions with many barred by Israeli forces from reaching the Church of Holy Sepulchre for essential Holy Week and Easter celebrations. This is a recurring pattern where freedom to worship is being denied.
I respectfully request that you raise this matter with the appropriate offices, including Global Affairs Canada, the Office of Human Rights, Freedoms and Inclusion, and Canada’s representatives at the United Nations. Canada has an important role to play in defending human rights and protecting freedom of worship. I urge you to act with urgency.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]Contact Emails:
Minister of Foreign Affairs:
minister@international.gc.ca
Office of Human Rights, Freedoms and Inclusion:
humanrights-droitsdelapersonne@international.gc.ca
Permanent Mission of Canada to the United Nations:
canada.un@international.gc.ca
Prime Minister’s Office:
pm@pm.gc.ca