Council Slams Israeli Raid on Al-Aqsa, Stresses Mosque Is for Muslims Only
In a statement on Tuesday, the council raised concerns over the recent incidents involving the Al-Aqsa Mosque in the occupied city of Jerusalem.
On Monday evening, the Israeli occupation forces expelled all workers on duty from the Al-Aqsa Mosque, including guards, firefighters, and maintenance technicians. This resulted in the mosque being turned into a military base, setting a dangerous precedent. The Qibli Mosque was also raided, and men and women who were observing the first ten days of Dhu Al-Hijjah were forcefully removed, harassed, and humiliated, and some young men were even arrested.
The council strongly condemned the excessive use of force by the occupation forces against the Al-Aqsa Mosque, its worshipers, and the Islamic Endowments and their employees.
It noted that the brutal acts contribute to a growing list of occupation violations, fueling hatred, insecurity, and the risk of a religious war in the region and beyond, Al-Mamalaka TV reported.
The council highlighted that the Islamic Endowments and the Affairs of the Al-Aqsa Mosque are solely responsible for the mosque, its management, and the 144-dunum area and surroundings. It also asserted that the mosque is exclusively for Muslim use.
Although there have been unfair policies targeting Al-Aqsa and its administration, the council will persist in preserving the mosque as a Muslim place of worship, according to the statement.
The raids are believed to be made in preparation for illegal incursions of the Israeli settlers and the regime’s plans to Judaize the holy site.
Earlier on Tuesday, dozens of Jewish radicals and settlers invaded Al-Aqsa Mosque and roamed its courtyards, some performing Jewish rituals in violation of the status quo, which states that only Muslims can pray in the walled compound.
Muslims usually pray all night and day at Al-Aqsa Mosque during the first 10 days of the lunar month of Dhu al-Hijja, which reaches a climax on the 10th of the month with the pilgrimage in Mecca.
Source: Agencies
