Kiswani: Israel Prevents Implementation of 40 Projects in Aqsa

Al-Quds, 30 Muharram 1438/31 October 2016 (MINA) – “The Israeli occupation prevents the implementation of more than 40 vital projects to restore Al-Aqsa Mosque facilities and walls,” said the director of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, Sheikh Omar Al-Kiswani.

The Israeli settlers’ break-ins into the Mosque are a nightmare that keeps haunting the Muslim worshipers, he added, as quoted by the Palestinian Information Center (PIC).

Kiswani stated that one of the projects is the lighting project, which requires installing lighting poles from the Lions Gate to the inside of the Mosque, in addition to changing the cables and lamps. The fire alarm systems and other projects need to be completed as well.

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He added that the restoration projects are very important as the Mosque receives thousands of visitors and worshipers every day, especially on Fridays.

“Israeli settlers break in by force and guns, but that won’t give them the right and will make us more resilient,” said Kiswani.

He added that the Israeli police had arrested one of the Mosque’s guards, at the pretext that that he raised his hand showing ‘Hitler’s Swastika’ as Israeli settlers broke into the Mosque.

He said, “117 Israeli settlers broke into al-Aqsa Mosque on Tuesday (25th October, 2016) in five groups. 40 of them were soldiers in military uniform, four police officers, and the others were Jewish settlers and rabbis.”

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The number of Israeli settlers who broke into the Mosque during the Jewish holiday of Tabernacles reached 1,611, and Israeli rabbis spoke about the alleged Temple during their tour.

Kiswani said that during the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles, Israeli police around al-Aqsa Mosque restricted the Muslims’ entrance to the Mosque and prevented some youths from entering during the Israeli break-ins.

He explained that the Israeli restrictions around al-Aqsa Mosque aim at decreasing the number of Muslim worshipers and giving space to the settlers, pointing out that the number of break-ins has increased remarkably so far this month (October 2016).

“The Israeli procedures, break-ins, and targeting of guards, servants and worshipers aim at imposing an Israeli status quo and to force us to accept it.But this won’t happen,” he affirmed.

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A call to visit Al-Aqsa

Kiswani stressed the importance of visiting al-Aqsa Mosque from all parts of Palestine on a daily basis since it is a target for Israel.

He pointed out that six guards of the Mosque have been banished from al-Aqsa Mosque by Israeli orders.

He concluded that al-Aqsa Mosque will remain an Islamic site regardless of the Israeli rigorous attempts to change that. (T/P008/R07)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)