ISRAEL TO CLOSE IBRAHIMI MOSQUE TO PALESTINIANS FOR TWO DAYS
Al-Khalil (Hebron), 27 Shawwal 1434/ 3 September 2013 (MINA) – Israeli occupation authorities decided to close the Ibrahimi Mosque Mosque (Cave of the Patriarchs) in Hebron, south of the West Bank, for two days to Palestinians citing Jewish holidays.
The Israeli occupation authorities decided to prevent Muslims from entering the mosque on Thursday and Friday on the occasion of Jewish holidays. The mosque has been divided between Muslims and Jews and often Israel shuts it down to either members of the faith when the other has a religious event.
“The Israeli occupation authorities decided to close the Ibrahimi Mosque, its corridors, and courtyards on Thursday and Friday to Muslim worshipers under the pretext of allowing settlers to perform Talmudic rituals celebrating ‘New Year’s Eve Hebrew’,” said Palestinian officials of Ministry of Religious Affairs in Hebron.
The occupation authorities imposed a security cordon in the vicinity of the mosque, and closed military checkpoints between the mosque and the old town neighborhoods ‘, they also have recently banned the Muslim calls for prayers, according to Palestinian media reports monitored by Mi’raj News Agency (MINA).
The settlers coming from the West Bank settlements to celebrate the holiday deliberately carry out provocative roaming operations in the neighborhoods of the old town, and visit ancient Palestinian sites citing that they are Jewish shrines in the heart of the city.
Muslim Officials Denounce Decision to Shut Hebron Mosque
Muslim officials Tuesday denounced an Israeli decision to shut down the Ibrahimi to Muslim worshippers for two days and open it only for Jews.
Israel informed the PA ministry of endowment that the mosque will be closed to Muslims on Thursday and Friday so settlers can celebrate new year at a synagogue on the same site, ministry official Tayseer Abu Sneina said.
Abu Sneina, head of the ministry’s Hebron directorate, said the decision was “a violation of the sacredness of the Ibrahimi Mosque by the Israeli occupation and its settlers.”
Sheikh Muhammad Hussein, the Mufti of Jerusalem and Palestine, said this decision means Muslims will not be able to perform their religious rituals in the mosque for two consecutive days, including a Friday, the Muslim holy day.
He expressed concern that this Israeli policy of dividing Muslim holy places between Muslims and Jews may also be enforced on al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, which is currently under full Muslim control.
Muslims are worried that Israel is allowing more Jews, mainly fanatics, to enter al-Aqsa compound under the pretext of open visitation in order to create a permanent presence for Jews inside the Muslim holy place as a prelude to dividing it or possibly taking it over. (T/P02/E1)
Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)
