97 Converted to Islam at Al-Aqsa in Last 2 Years: Imam

Thousands of people from around the world visit the iconic Al-Aqsa Mosque.

 
Jerusalem, 06 Rabiul Akhir 1438/05 January 2017 (MINA) – Almost 100 people from 17 western countries have formally converted to Islam at East Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque over the past two years, according to mosque imam Sheikh Ekrima Said Sabri, a former grand mufti of Jerusalem.

“Ninety-seven people of 17 western nationalities have announced their voluntary conversion to Islam by repeating the Shahada [at the Al-Aqsa],” World Bulletin reported Thursday, citing the statement of Sheikh Sabri issued this week.

Also Read: Hundreds of Israelis Demand Hostage Release Before Netanyahu’s Hungary Visit

According to the tenets of Islam, would-be converts must recite the Shahada, or “testimony”, repeating in Arabic: “I bear witness that there is no God but Allah; I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah

According to the former grand mufti, most of the westerners to have recently converted at the mosque hailed from the U.S., France, Germany, Britain and Finland.

“Islam is the religion of justice and tolerance,” Sheikh Sabri declared. “It is a comprehensive religion; the distillation of all previous divine messages.”

He went on to stress that, according to the Quran, conversion had to be done on a strictly voluntary basis.

Also Read: Israeli Forces Launch Large-Scale Incursion into Rafah

“As God Almighty says: ‘There shall be no compulsion in [the acceptance of] the faith,” Sheikh Sabri, who is also head of Jerusalem’s Supreme Islamic Council, asserted, citing the holy book

Each year, hundreds of thousands of people from around the world visit the iconic Al-Aqsa Mosque, which is located in Israeli-occupied East Jerusalem. (T/RS05/RS01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)

Also Read: Israeli Occupation Airstrikes Intensify in Gaza, Killing 23 Civillians