OCCUPIED JERUSALEM, (PIC)
Al-Aqsa Mosque is witnessing a clear escalation by the occupation on all levels, including the desecration of its courtyards by settlers, the intimidation and threats directed at its staff and preachers, and the undermining and interference in the work of the Islamic Waqf Department, which is solely responsible for the Mosque through Jordan’s Ministry of Awqaf.
The Israeli occupation authority (IOA) targets the resources of Al-Aqsa Mosque and all matters related to its employees and administration, with the aim of asserting control over it and creating a new reality in parallel with its war on the Gaza Strip, amid Islamic, Arab, and international silence regarding the daily violations committed against it.
Occupation forces support settlers in their calls to intensify incursions into Al-Aqsa’s courtyards, perform Talmudic rituals, and raise the Israeli flag during Jewish holidays, whether on so-called “Independence Day” or “Jerusalem Day,” as part of a broader plan to Judaize and Israelize the holy site.
Regarding this escalation, Sheikh Ekrima Sabri, head of the Higher Islamic Council in Jerusalem, said: “As is clear and evident, there has been an escalation in the storming of the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque since the war on Gaza began. The IOA tightened its grip on Jerusalem and isolated it from other cities.”
Sabri added: “Jerusalem is under siege, and Al-Aqsa Mosque has been under heavy restrictions since the Gaza war. Many Muslim youths have been banned from it. The policy of banning access to places of worship is unfamiliar and unheard of elsewhere in the world—only the IOA does this to impose control and sovereignty over the Mosque.”
He continued: “These aggressive measures aim to impose dominance over Al-Aqsa Mosque and change the status quo that has been in place since 1967. They also aim to Judaize Jerusalem and maintain its Jewish character.”
Sheikh Sabri described these escalations as violations and a crossing of red lines, a desecration of Al-Aqsa Mosque, and a provocation to the feelings of Muslims.
He pointed out that the Jewish groups exploit the start of their religious and national holidays as opportunities to pounce on Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Sabri explained that the occasions they commemorate, like the so-called “Unification of Jerusalem” and “Independence Day,” are, for Palestinians, days of catastrophe and painful memories. The current preparations for these occasions are deliberately provocative to Muslims.
He noted that extremist groups are preparing for a large march inside Jerusalem and a major incursion into Al-Aqsa’s courtyards on the so-called “Jerusalem Day.”
Sheikh Sabri described these moves as aggressive measures that desecrate and violate Al-Aqsa Mosque and provoke Muslim sentiments.
Targeting of preachers and imams
Since the beginning of the war on Gaza, the IOA has pursued Al-Aqsa’s preachers and imams through a policy of arrest, banning from the Mosque, threats, intimidation, and interference in their duties.
Moreover, Israeli intelligence has even intervened in the content of Friday sermons, prohibiting imams from praying for the people of Gaza. If they do, they are threatened with being banned from the Mosque for several months—even though they are employees of the Islamic Waqf in Jerusalem.
According to informed sources, Israeli intelligence, in cooperation with various institutions, has threatened preachers and Mosque staff with the imposition of “Arnona” municipal taxes, withholding their salaries, and jeopardizing their residency in Jerusalem if they continue to pray for the people of Gaza—effectively enforcing a policy of silencing through threats and intimidation.
Commenting on this, Sheikh Sabri said: “Since the Gaza war began, there has been an increased crackdown on the Mosque’s preachers. Every preacher has been contacted by Israeli intelligence with implicit warnings not to speak about Gaza or show support for it. Some preachers have already been banned from the Mosque. All others have been strictly warned not to pray for the people of Gaza.”
He emphasized that this clampdown is unjustified and contradicts freedom of worship, speech, and the democracy the IOA claims to uphold.
Sheikh Sabri reminded Muslims of the Prophet Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) call to travel to Al-Aqsa Mosque, saying: “This call remains until the Day of Judgment. Every Muslim who can make the journey should respond to this call.”
