Director of the Ibrahimi Mosque: The Adhan has been prevented more than 450 times in the last 90 days
Agencies3 min read
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The Director of the Ibrahimi Mosque, Mutaz Abu Sneineh, said on Sunday that Israeli occupation forces decided to close the mosque on Sunday and Monday under the pretext of "Jewish holidays", and forced the Waqf employees and custodians of the mosque to evacuate it at 2 PM, contrary to the usual time for handing over the mosque at 10 PM, affirming that this measure is contrary to the protocols in place at the Ibrahimi Mosque.
Abu Sneineh explained that the closure of the mosque was on the occasion of the so-called "Day of Atonement", noting that the mosque will remain closed on Monday, which will restrict freedom of worship and make it difficult for worshipers and residents in the vicinity.
He pointed out that the closure of the mosque coincides with the continued prevention of raising the Adhan through its minarets for the 90th consecutive day, considering it a violation of freedom of worship, and said that the prevention of raising the Adhan continues with pretexts and excuses that he described as weak.
In contrast, he said that what is happening in the Ibrahimi Mosque during the "Jewish holidays" represents a complete "license for settlers" to enter all its corridors, courtyards, and sections, in addition to holding noisy prayers and celebrations inside the mosque and its courtyards.
He considered these measures an attempt by the occupation to impose a new reality on the Ibrahimi Mosque and change the procedures in place, affirming that this constitutes an attack on the mosque as a religious, historical, and archaeological site.
He pointed out that the occupation "turns a blind eye" to international laws and covenants that guarantee freedom of worship in the Ibrahimi Mosque, noting that the mosque is one of the places threatened with danger and is listed on the World Heritage and Civilization list.
He added that the occupation closes the Ibrahimi Mosque for about 10 days a year, and closed it for 12 days during the Israeli-Iranian war, in addition to other closures and procedures that prevent worshipers from entering the mosque at different times.
He explained that the occupation forces prevent many Palestinians from reaching the Ibrahimi Mosque, pointing to the continued attacks and violations that affect the mosque and worshipers.
He said that the prevention of raising the Adhan has occurred more than 450 times since the start of the continuous prevention period, which has entered its 90th day, in addition to targeting Waqf employees and removing custodians of the mosque and summoning them for questioning.
He stressed that the sum of these measures and violations, along with the targeting of Waqf employees and custodians of the mosque, indicates the continuation of the occupation in what it described as a "series of Judaization" of the Ibrahimi Mosque and an attempt to turn it into a Jewish synagogue.
