Preacher Calls for Massive Presence of Worshippers at Al-Aqsa Mosque in Ramadan
The senior cleric said despite all the restrictions imposed by the Zionist regime, especially against Palestinians under 50 years of age, many Palestinians want to attend congregational prayers at the mosque on the nights of Ramadan.
Sheikh Sabri said it is a Wajib (obligatory act) for all Palestinians who can do it to go to Al-Aqsa Mosque in their hundreds of thousands during Ramadan.
He underlined the need for an end to the siege on Al-Aqsa and the restrictions that have been in place for over 150 days, Al Jazeera reported.
He also referred to the Israeli regime’s genocidal war on the Gaza Strip and noted that the people of the holy city of al-Quds have refused to decorate their homes and streets for Ramadan as a show of solidarity with the people of Gaza who are facing the most severe hardships and the Israeli crimes against humanity.
Meanwhile, the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas in a statement described Ramadan as an opportunity to focus on supporting the people of Gaza in all aspects.
The Israeli regime has threatened to impose tougher restrictions on Muslim worshippers from visiting the Al-Aqsa Mosque in the occupied Old City of al-Quds during the upcoming holy month of Ramadan.
Last month, Channel 13 reported that the regime’s premier Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered restrictions on Palestinians from accessing Al-Aqsa Mosque during the month of Ramadan, acting on the proposal of far-right minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.
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With access to the holy site already limited for prayers, especially on Fridays, since October 7 when the regime launched its fresh aggression on Gaza, the move to impose tougher restrictions in Ramadan was deemed extremely provocative and dangerous by many observers and rights groups.
During Ramadan, the mosque becomes a focal point for Palestinian religious life and identity as thousands of worshippers gather in the vast courtyard of the third holiest site in Islam.
Al Aqsa, which represents a symbol of Palestine’s faith, identity, history and resistance, has been turned into a flashpoint by the Israeli regime in recent years by targeting Palestinian worshippers.
Ben-Gvir, known for his hawkish rhetoric and hate-filled politics, had called for a blanket ban on Palestinian Muslims from visiting Al Aqsa mosque during the upcoming holy month, which begins on Monday.
Ben-Gvir proposed a plan in the war cabinet to prohibit Muslim worshippers from the occupied territories and the West Bank from entering Al Aqsa mosque during the month of Ramadan.
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A staunch supporter and follower of the Zionist mass murderer Baruch Goldstein, who massacred 29 Palestinians at the Ibrahimi mosque in 1994, Ben-Gvir recommended that only Palestinians from occupied territories above the age of 70 should be allowed into the mosque during Ramadan.
The decision, however, faced opposition from the Shin Bet, the regime’s internal police outfit, warning the ban could exacerbate tensions.
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