Following the wave of Arab countries officially normalizing relations with Israel over the past several years the Palestinians mainly in Occupied Jerusalem found no option but to Ribat (sit-in) in al-Aqsa Mosque squares in defense of the holy shrine in face of the growing Judaization threats.
Ribat initiative came in coincidence with the 2000 second uprising (Al-Aqsa Intifada) and the Israeli decision to ban any restoration work in the compound.
Subsequently Palestinians began to think about the need to protect Al-Aqsa Mosque and facilitate the arrival of worshipers all the time to resist the autocratic control by the Israeli occupation forces.
Later they launched what was known as the “March of the Flags” (Biarik) to transport the worshipers from all over the occupied territories daily by buses to Al-Aqsa Mosque.
The second phase of Ribat in Al-Aqsa was the establishment of the “Science Terraces” (Masatib al-Elm) and learning groups (halaqat).
The project was first initiated by Sheikh Raed Salah intensifying the permanent Palestinian presence in the Mosque.
Speaking to the PIC reporter the Jerusalemite female activist Khadija Khweis described the Ribat initiative as “the impenetrable dam” through which the “Al-Mourabitoun” (sit-inners) can protect and defend Al-Aqsa.
She pointed out that Ribat initiative was already existing but it was developed by the Islamic movement under the leadership of Sheikh Raed Salah to be only dedicated for the defense of the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
The Ribat wave reached its climax in 2014 where it played a prominent role in confronting the Israeli partition scheme she added.
“After realizing the Ribat effectiveness Israeli authorities banned the Masatib al-Elm initiative and the Islamic movement and outlawed the Ribat in the Al-Aqsa Mosque.”
Khweis went on saying that Israeli authorities started targeting the “Al-Mourabitoun” by imposing several punitive measures including beating deportation arrest home arrest cutting health insurance travel ban and home raids.
However “Al-Mourabitoun” remained steadfast in al-Aqsa despite all these systematic attacks she continued.
Khweis stressed the need to intensify Palestinian presence at Al-Aqsa and to confront Israeli Judaization plans by all possible means.
For his part the Jerusalemite researcher Radwan Amr called for a large-scale field and media mobilization supporting the Ribat cause in Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Amr told the PIC reporter that Al-Aqsa Mosque is facing a “dangerous stage” in light of the Israeli growing threats and attacks amid total Arab and Islamic absence.
The Israeli occupation is working to empty Al-Aqsa of worshipers throughout the year and especially during the Jewish holidays he said.
However there is a growing awareness among the Jerusalemite youths about the need to maintain presence in Al-Aqsa Amr added warning of the Israeli calls for the demolition of the Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa Mosque as a prelude to build the alleged Temple.
