I am disturbed that the ex-Prime Minister of Malaysia has been denied entry by Israel into Jenin and Jerusalem. This is shocking because Israel has no claim or jurisdiction over these two cities under the partition boundaries declared by the UN.

Israel is in violation of the UN directive and the will of the entire international community. It is unacceptable that Israel has denied Dr Mahathir Mohammed his right to pray in the sacred mosque of Al-Aqsa.

This mosque is sacred to Muslims because it is the place of Muhammad's ascension to heaven and where God commanded Muslims to pray five times a day. Israel has no right to deny anyone from praying at the Al-Aqsa mosque because this mosque does not belong to Israel.

Besides freedom of religion is a universal human right agreed upon by all the major world religions including Judaism.

I urge our present Prime Minister Abdullah Ahamd Badawi to bring the matter to the attention of the Organisation of Islamic Conference. If Israel insists on its intransigence, Muslim countries with diplomatic relations with Israel such as Uzbekistan and Turkey should be advised to recall their ambassadors.

Israel should not be allowed to deny Muslims their rights. Christians are allowed to visit the Church of the Nativity in Bethelehem, Jews the Wailing Wall. Why are Muslims not allowed into the Al-Aqsa mosque?