ISRAEL PLANS RAMADAN RESTRICTIONS AT AL-AQSA MOSQUE: FORMER MUFTI

JERUSALEM, Feb 13 (Bernama-Anadolu) -- Israeli authorities have planned to restrict Muslims’ access to Al-Aqsa Mosque for prayers during the upcoming Islamic holy month of Ramadan, a well-known Muslim scholar and former grand mufti of Jerusalem said.

In an interview with Anadolu Ajansi, Sheikh Ekrima Sabri, former grand mufti of Jerusalem and head of the Supreme Islamic Council in Jerusalem, expressed regret over the Israeli administration’s plan to restrict access to the third-holiest mosque for Muslims during Ramadan, which begins midweek.

Israel’s ill intentions were clear when Maj Gen Avshalom Peled was appointed the new police commander in occupied East Jerusalem in the first week of January, a move seen as an attempt to advance plans by far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir for the flashpoint Al-Aqsa Mosque.

“Muslims welcome Ramadan with optimism, following the tradition of the Prophet Muhammad, who used to welcome the month at the end of Shaaban.

“But regarding Jerusalem, we regret the harsh measures the occupying authorities will impose on Muslims coming to Al-Aqsa Mosque,” Sabri told Anadolu.

He said: “Israeli authorities have already barred dozens of young men from entering the mosque and announced that they will not ease restrictions during Ramadan for worshippers arriving from the occupied West Bank.”

“This means there will be tighter restrictions. The number of worshippers at Al-Aqsa will be lower than in previous years. This contradicts freedom of worship and disrupts Muslims’ observance of the fasting month,” Sabri said.

Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians from the West Bank usually travel to occupied East Jerusalem during Ramadan to pray at Al-Aqsa Mosque.

However, since the war began on Oct 7, 2023, Israeli authorities have tightened restrictions at military checkpoints, limiting West Bank residents’ access to Jerusalem.

Over the past two years, only small numbers have received Israeli army-issued permits, which Palestinians say are difficult to obtain.

Authorities have not announced any special arrangements for Ramadan this year.

-- BERNAMA-ANADOLU