The third holiest place for all Muslims on earth has been closed by Israeli occupation since Friday
The Imam of Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque Sheikh Ikrema Sabri was discharged from hospital on Wednesday after he was injured by Israeli forces.
Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Sabri vowed to pursue protests against new Israeli security measures around the holy site.
“We will pray on the streets around Al-Aqsa mosque until Israeli metal detectors are removed,” a defiant Sabri said.
The imam was among scores of Palestinians injured during clashes with Israeli forces in east Jerusalem late Tuesday.
Sabri, a former grand mufti of Jerusalem, said Israeli soldiers fired stun grenades at worshippers after the night prayers.
“We were the target of rubber bullets, which caused injuries and stampedes among the crowds,” he recalled. “I was one of those hit by rubber bullets and was taken to hospital,” he said. “I am in good health now.”
Gates still closed
Tension has been running high across east Jerusalem since the Israeli occupation authorities closed Al-Aqsa Mosque compound on Friday following a deadly shootout that killed three Palestinians and two policemen.
Israeli authorities reopened the mosque on Sunday but installed metal detectors at gates, a move that the Palestinians say aim to change the status quo, a delicate balance of prayer and visiting rights at the holy site.
Ever since, Palestinian worshippers have gathered at the mosque gates, refusing to enter the site through Israeli detectors.
“These detectors are an assault to Al-Aqsa Mosque and interference in Muslim affairs,” Sabri said, stressing that Al-Aqsa Mosque belongs to Muslims and the mosque should be administrated by Muslims, too.”
The grand mufti called on the Arab and Muslim worlds to rally to defend Al-Aqsa Mosque, which is the third holiest place for over two million Muslims around the world.
“Al-Aqsa Mosque does not belong to Palestinians; on the contrary, it belongs to Muslims all around the world,” he said. “Muslims who care about Al-Aqsa Mosque should step up and react to the recent violations,” he added.
(Days of Palestine)
Video: Israeli occupation forces attacked Palestinian worshipers at AlAsbat Gate last night, tens of Palestinians were injured;
For the 4th day Palestinians refused the Israeli electronic detectors at AlAqsa gates.
