Sheikh Ekrima Sabri head of the Higher Islamic Council in Occupied Jerusalem has affirmed that the Islamic Awqaf authorities in the holy city are not bound by the Israeli decision to reclose the Aqsa Mosque’s Bab al-Rahma prayer area.
“We are not bound by such decision. Bab al-Rahma will remain open and we will not allow its closure” Sheikh Sabri who is also an Aqsa Mosque preacher said in press remarks on Monday.
He underlined that the Israeli occupation authority (IOA) has no jurisdiction over the Aqsa Mosque and thus any such decisions are invalid.
The Jerusalemite clerk warned against Israeli attempts to pull the rug out from under the Islamic Awqaf Department who has an exclusive jurisdiction over the Aqsa Mosque and to control the affairs of the holy site recalling a similar attempt in 2017 when the IOA installed security scanner doors outside the Mosque provoking a popular uprising that led to their removal.
He added that the IOA since the emergence of the coronavirus crisis had been gradually trying to impose its control over the Aqsa Mosque through arresting and assaulting Muslim worshipers banishing them from the holy site and allowing Jewish provocative tours in its courtyards.
He pointed out that the IOA banished 250 Jerusalemites from the Aqsa Mosque within one month only with the aim of emptying it of Muslims.
“Pressure begets explosion and the response will come from the Muslim masses in Jerusalem and its environs so there is a need now to intensify our presence at the Aqsa Mosque for prayers and worship” Sheikh Sabri said.
