Occupied al-Quds - Saba:
Tens of thousands of Palestinians performed Friday prayers at al-Aqsa Mosque, despite restrictions and obstacles imposed by Israeli occupation forces on worshippers' access to the mosque. This followed a ban on worshippers last Friday, citing a state of emergency.
Al-Quds Islamic Endowments Department reported that 45,000 worshippers performed Friday prayers at al-Aqsa Mosque, mourning the souls of the martyrs in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
The Palestinian Safa News Agency reported that Israeli enemy police arrested al-Aqsa guard Arafat Najib this morning at the Council Gate as he entered his post. He was taken to al-Qishla Police Station, where Israeli intelligence issued him a one-week ban from entering al-Aqsa Mosque, subject to renewal.
Safa reported that Israeli soldiers forced worshippers Nizam Abu Ramouz and Khair al-Shaimi to leave the vicinity of Lions' Gate and exit the Old City. They also prevented activist Muhammad Abu al-Hummus from entering the Old City of al-Quds.
Israeli enemy forces stopped dozens of young men at the gates of the Old City and prevented them from reaching al-Aqsa Mosque for Friday prayers. Others were obstructed and searched.
Al-Quds Mufti Sheikh Muhammad Hussein said: "The role of the mosque in Islamic life and Islamic society is significant. Consider your situation today in the blessed al-Aqsa Mosque: how you come and gather there to obey God Almighty, while you are aware of all the dangers that threaten the mosque."
In the second sermon, the Mufti noted that history has recorded the criminal stances of many usurpers, occupiers, invaders, and criminals. He added: "Do not despair or lose hope, you displaced and immigrants, and those who are being forced to leave the world. Do not despair of God's mercy, for only the disbelieving people despair of God's mercy."
He explained that the anniversary of the Prophet's migration reminds us of our duty toward al-Quds and its holy sites, saying: "We must all make the pilgrimage to it, even if we are afflicted with some hardship, fatigue, and waiting at checkpoints."
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