DR. ISMAIL REDWAN CALLS FOR PROTECTING AL-AQSA MOSQUE

Gaza City, 10 Rajab 1435/9 May 2014 (MINA) – The Minister of Awqaf and Religious Affairs in Gaza, Dr. Ismail Redwan, stressed the need to defend Islamic holy sites in Palestine especially al-Aqsa Mosque in light of Israeli forces and settlers’ repeated attacks and violations in its courtyards.

In a press release issued on Thursday, Dr. Redwan pointed out that 1300 Israeli settlers and soldiers have stormed al-Aqsa Mosque during April, while 70 Palestinians were banned from having access to the mosque for different periods of time 70 others were injured in the Israeli attacks.

135 Jerusalemites were arrested during April, he added, indicating that Jerusalemites are still subjected to brutal Israeli violations and attacks on their properties and freedom of worship as part of Israeli Judaization schemes, Palestinian Information Center (PIC) quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA), Jumat.

He said that a number of Israeli female soldiers have tried to perform Talmudic rituals in al-Aqsa Mosque under Israeli police protection, but Palestinian worshipers and students confronted them and forced them to leave the mosque.

He condemned Knesset Member Tzipi Hotobili for having raised the Israeli flag above holy al-Aqsa Mosque after having claimed that it was “the only politically and ideologically valuable place for Israelis.”

Redwan held Israeli Occupation Authorities (IOA) responsible for such desecration conspiracies and provocative violations targeting al-Aqsa sanctity and Muslims around the world. Redwan called for serious steps to bring such violations to a halt.

Meanwhile, guards at the Aqsa Mosque said that 16 Jewish settlers desecrated its sanctity on Thursday morning under heavy police protection bringing the number of settlers who entered the holy Islamic site to 120 in two days. (T/P02/E01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)