Sheikh Mohammad Hussein - general mufti of Jerusalem and Palestinian territories - lashed Sunday at Israeli decision to roof in the yard of Al-Ibrahimi Mosque in the West Bank city of Khalil, or Hebron. "Through this decision, the Israeli occupation authorities seek to control the holy mosque and turn it into a Jewish synagogue," Sheikh Hussein said in a statement here. "The Israelis know why the mosque has a yard which provides the mosque with light and ventilation. However, they seek to occupy the mosque and turn it into a synagogue. The move runs counter to all provisions of holy faith and international laws," the statement asserted.
"After the massacre of Al-Ibrahimi Mosque (February, 1994), the Israeli occupation authorities divided the Muslim shrine into to parts and allowed the Jewish settlers get into one of them to perform rituals. "The authorities applied additional constrains on the movement of Muslims in the mosque under the pretext of security precautions," according to the statement. "They are trying to close it to Palestinian Muslims and ban prayer announcement at the mosque," he warned.
Meanwhile, Sheikh Hussein appealed to all regional and international organizations to prevent Israel from pressing ahead with its plans to roof in the mosque and control it.
Located south of Jerusalem in the Judean hills, Hebron is home to approximately 130,000 Arabs, 530 Jews, and three Christians. |