Al-Azhar condemns Al-Aqsa violations

CAIRO – 21 July 2017: Al-Azhar demanded the international community take a firm stance regarding recent violations of Al-Aqsa Mosque, in a Thursday statement.

An official statement warned of the continuous violations that have been taking place, “which provoke the feelings of Muslims around the world and threaten the region’s stability.”

“We refuse all of the provocative measures the Israeli side has taken against the Palestinian prayers, which lead to the Injury of Sheikh Ekrema Sabri, former Mufti of Palestine and preacher of Al-Aqsa Mosque,” the statement, issued by the most prestigious Islamic authority read.

On Friday, July 14, Israeli authorities decided to close the mosque and prevent Palestinians from praying there, which was considered a huge escalation. The closing of Al-Aqsa for the first time since 1969 was condemned internationally, but the mosque remains closed.

Several clashes took place since then between Palestinians and Israeli forces close to Bab Al-Asbat, one of the mosque’s doors, and hundreds were injured.

The Israeli violations have been taken place regularly every week, as no one allowed to enter or pray at the mosque under the age of 50; which prevent huge number of Muslims from praying.

The mosque was stormed more than once since 2011 by the Israeli occupation forces and the settlers. Two Intifadas (intensified Israeli–Palestinian violence) took place due to several violations and arrests. The first one was between September 1987 till 1993, and the second was between 2000 till 2005.

Al-Aqsa mosque in the old City of Jerusalem considered as one of the holiest Islamic places after The Great Mosque of Mecca and Al-Masjid an-Nabawī (Prophet's Mosque) in Saudi Arabia.