Doha, June 1: Qatar on Monday condemned the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque by Israeli extremists, terming their actions “flagrant violation of international law and unacceptable provocation of the feelings of millions of Muslims around the world.”

It stated that Al-Aqsa Mosque is a place of worship of Muslims and all unilateral actions aimed at altering the historical and legal status quo in Jerusalem and its sanctities are null and void under international law.

“The State of Qatar condemns the storming of the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque by Israeli extremists, along with the provocative actions carried out under the protection of the occupation forces, describing it as a flagrant violation of international law, an unacceptable provocation of the feelings of millions of Muslims around the world, and a dangerous attempt to impose a new reality in the occupied Jerusalem and its Islamic and Christian sanctities,” the Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stresses that Al-Aqsa Mosque is an exclusively Muslim place of worship and that all unilateral measures aimed at altering the historical and legal status quo in Jerusalem and its sanctities are null and void under international law,” it added.

Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned that the continuation of such violations and repeated provocations could cause further violence and escalation in the region, undermining prospects for de-escalation and stability.

“The Ministry warns that the continuation of such violations and repeated provocations could fuel further violence and escalation in the region, undermining prospects for de-escalation and stability. It renews its call on the international community to act urgently and compel Israel, as the occupying power, to stop its ongoing violations against the Palestinian people and their holy sites and to comply with relevant international resolutions,” the statement said.

“The Ministry also reiterates the State of Qatar’s firm and supportive stance on the Palestinian cause and the steadfastness of the brotherly Palestinian people, based on ending the occupation and enabling the Palestinian people to attain their legitimate rights, foremost among them the establishment of an independent state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital,” it added.

Qatar’s statement comes after settlers raised Israeli flags on the steps leading to the Dome of the Rock and sang Israeli national anthem under police protection. The settlers the mosque from Al-Maghrabah Gate, which is fully controlled by Israeli authorities, Arab News reported.

Frequent clashes, including Israeli settler raids and restrictions on Muslim worshippers, have been witnessed in the Al-Aqsa Mosque since East Jerusalem was occupied in June 1967, Arab News reported. The mosque is administered by Jordan’s Ministry of Awqaf, which has the legal authority to manage the compound and control access. Jordan warned settlers against taking actions that aim to create a new reality that would temporally and spatially divide the landmark.

Quetta, May 27: Several leading human rights organisations and student bodies on Wednesday strongly condemned the escalating wave of enforced disappearances of Baloch civilians, including women, across Pakistan, allegedly carried out by security forces, saying that for many affected families, Eid has turned into a period of grief, uncertainty and painful separation from their loved ones.

According to the Baloch Students Council (BSC) of Pakistan’s Punjab province, multiple students affiliated with the organisation’s Punjab and Islamabad chapters have been forcibly disappeared, leaving their families without any credible information regarding their detention or whereabouts.

Expressing grave concern, the student body said that the dire situation not only causes severe mental anguish for the affected families but also raises serious questions regarding “fundamental human and legal principles”.

“On the occasion of Eid al-Adha, while people around the world are celebrating with their families, the parents, siblings, and loved ones of the forcibly disappeared Baloch students are immersed in the sorrow of separation from their dear ones. For these families, the day of Eid has become a symbol of waiting, uncertainty, and grief,” the BSC, Punjab, stated.

Meanwhile, another Baloch woman, Habiba Peerjan, a resident of the Nazarabad Tump region in Balochistan, who is currently based in Karachi, was reportedly forcibly disappeared by Pakistani security forces on May 25 following a raid at her residence in Baldia Town.

According to the Baloch Women Forum, this marks her second enforced disappearance, as she was previously detained in May 2022 and released days later.

“The repeated targeting of Baloch women through enforced disappearances highlights a deeply troubling system of repression and collective punishment. It has created an atmosphere of fear and instability, leaving families in prolonged uncertainty without access to information, legal remedy or accountability,” the BWF stated.

Condemning the incident, Paank, the Baloch National Movement’s Human Rights Department, demanded the immediate and safe release of Habiba, while calling on the Pakistani authorities to end the ongoing practice of enforced disappearances and harassment of families in Balochistan and Karachi.

Pakistani forces also reportedly carried out large-scale search operations in several parts of Balochistan on Monday, during which multiple civilians were taken into custody in overnight raids.

Citing sources, The Balochistan Post reported that Pakistani forces forcibly disappeared a shopkeeper identified as Saif-ur-Rehman during a late-night raid in the Doctor Colony area of Khuzdar district.

Reports further suggest that six more individuals were picked up in separate operations across the district, although their identities remain unconfirmed.

Additionally, Pakistani forces, along with Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) personnel, reportedly conducted a large-scale search operation overnight in the Windar area of the Lasbela district.

Residents alleged that security forces conducted house-to-house searches during which incidents of assault, vandalism and looting occurred.

Several civilians were reportedly taken into custody in Windar during the operation, with their current whereabouts remaining unknown.

Riyadh, May 26: As millions of pilgrims assemble at Saudi Arabia’s Arafat on Tuesday for the core ritual of Haj, all Indian pilgrims had reached the holy site comfortably and in a timely manner to take part in the prayers.

Extending his wishes to all those performing Haj, Indian Ambassador to the Saudi Arabia, Suhel Ajaz Khan, said, “Today is the day of Arafat. It is the most important day of the core Haj, where the entire pilgrimage moves from the tent city of Mina to Arafat and spends the day here in Arafat in prayer before they move to their next destination of Muzdalifah after the sunset.”

“All Indian pilgrims have moved from Mina to Arafat in a timely manner, in a very comfortable manner, and they are all now accommodated in their tents in Arafat. We had moved pilgrims by both the buses and the trains. Almost fifty per cent of our pilgrims use the trains, and the rest of them use the buses to move. And everyone is now in Arafat and dedicating themselves to the prayers,” he added.

According to the Indian Embassy in Riyadh, Ambassador Khan, Indian Consul General of Jeddah, Fahad Suri, and the entire Indian Haj mission are present in Arafat and serving the Indian pilgrims.

Union Minister for Parliamentary and Minority Affairs, Kiren Rijiju, conveyed his heartfelt greetings and prayers, expressing hope that the sacred journey would reinforce the values of compassion, harmony and unity.

“On the very solemn occasion of Haj pilgrims assembling at the sacred plains of Arafat for the core rituals of Hajj 2026, I convey my heartfelt greetings & prayers to all the Hajis. May this sacred journey further strengthen the values of compassion, harmony & unity among all humanity,” Rijiju posted on X.

On Sunday, Ambassador Khan met Rahim Khan, Karnataka’s Minister for Municipal Administration and Haj in Mecca, briefing him on the preparedness ahead of the Haj period. Consul General Fahad Suri was also present in the meeting.

Earlier on Saturday, Khan visited Mecca and met with a number of pilgrims, listening to their concerns and feedback on the various Haj arrangements.

“He reviewed preparations with the consul general, coordinators, and other staff and visited branch offices and clinics where he interacted with the medical teams. He also assessed readiness for the core Haj period and the movement of pilgrims to the tent city of Mina,” the Indian Embassy in Riyadh posted on X.

Over 1.5 million people have arrived in Mecca for the annual Haj pilgrimage, which this year takes place amid hopes for an end to the war in West Asia.