Sheikh Ekrima Sabri, the Imam of Al-Aqsa Mosque
Occupied Jerusalem (Quds News Network)- Israeli occupation forces arrested Sheikh Ekrima Sabri, the Imam of Al-Aqsa Mosque and head of the Islamic Authority in occupied Jerusalem, just hours after he delivered a Friday sermon mourning the martyrdom of former Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh.
Videos circulating online show Israeli police and soldiers surrounding the 84-year-old Imam outside his home in the Sawaneh neighborhood of occupied Jerusalem. Leaning on his cane, the Sheikh is seen being led to a police vehicle.
After eulogizing Palestinian leader Ismail Haniyeh during his Khutba at Al-Aqsa Mosque today, Israeli occupation forces raided the home of 85-year-old Sheikh Ikrima Sabri in occupied Jerusalem and arrested him. pic.twitter.com/yorP9mSKmp
— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) August 2, 2024
Sheikh Sabri’s lawyer, Hamza Qutina, told Al Jazeera that the Sheikh was arrested after Israeli forces surrounded his home during a session discussing the revocation of his residency. Qutina added that Sheikh Sabri was taken to the Moskobiya Investigation Center for interrogation.
Lawyer Khaled Zabarqa stated that Sheikh Sabri mourned Ismail Haniyeh, the former Prime Minister and head of Hamas’ political bureau, during his sermon at Al-Aqsa Mosque. “After the sermon, we noticed a significant and systematic incitement against the Sheikh, leading to the raid on his home and his subsequent arrest,” Zabarqa said. He emphasized that Sheikh Sabri’s statements do not violate Israeli law and that it is natural for someone of his stature to mourn a prominent Palestinian leader.
During his sermon, Sheikh Sabri expressed his condolences for Ismail Haniyeh, asking for God’s mercy upon him. “From the pulpit of Al-Aqsa Mosque, we mourn the martyr Ismail Haniyeh,” he said.
Following Haniyeh’s assassination by an Israeli airstrike in Tehran, Sheikh Sabri announced a prayer for the absent (Salat al-Gha’ib) for Haniyeh and all martyrs.
Sheikh Sabri highlighted the continuous threats to Al-Aqsa Mosque by Israeli groups and condemned recent aggressive statements by Israeli officials aiming to alter the status quo at the sacred site. On July 24, Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir claimed that Jewish prayers were allowed on what he called “the Temple Mount”, which includes Al-Aqsa Mosque, signaling government support for increased incursions by settlers.
Sheikh Sabri reiterated that Al-Aqsa Mosque is a Muslim site and cannot be subjected to negotiations, stressing, “No Muslim in the world can concede an inch of it.”
Following Sheikh Sabri’s sermon, Ben-Gvir demanded an investigation against him, accusing him of incitement. Shortly after, the Israeli Attorney General’s office ordered an investigation.
Meanwhile, Israeli Interior Minister Moshe Arbel announced his intention to revoke Sheikh Sabri’s residency in occupied Jerusalem, accusing him of incitement against the state.
Source: qudsnen
