Jerusalem’s former grand mufti defies Israeli ban on Al-Aqsa visits
Palestinians carry the former grand mufti of Palestine, Ekrima Sabri, 81, into the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound
Former grand mufti of Jerusalem Ekrima Sabri entered Al-Aqsa Mosque compound on Friday in defiance of an Israeli police order that barred him entry last week. Sabri’s actions came as Israeli police forces stormed the compound early in the morning and dispersed Palestinian worshipers from the area, Middle East Eye has learned.
Khaled Zabarqa, Sabri’s lawyer, told MEE that the 81-year old imam “insisted on practising his right to pray and worship in Al-Aqsa, the holiest place in Palestine for Muslims” and perform the weekly Friday prayer.
Sabri was ordered to report to the Israeli al-Qushla police station in Jerusalem’s Old City for questioning on 18 January, after he was accused by Israeli police of “incitement” during a sermon he held the day before.
Sabri has been giving Friday sermons at Al-Aqsa Mosque since 1973. He has previously been banned from entering the sacred compound in the Old City several times, particularly in 2000 during the Second Intifada.
He is a notable Palestinian figure in Jerusalem, known for standing up to the daily incursions into the Al-Aqsa compound carried out by Israeli settlers who enter the area under the protection of Israeli police and intelligence services.