Arresting of Jerusalem preachers continues... the occupation forces ban Sheikh Sarandah from Al-Aqsa Mosque
The occupation authorities continue to persecute preachers at Al-Aqsa Mosque through arrests, deportation orders, and repeated summonses, as part of a policy aimed at restricting their religious and national role in the city of Jerusalem.
On Friday, forces arrested Al-Aqsa Mosque Preacher Sheikh Mohammad Sarandah immediately after he left Al-Qibli Mosque following the Friday sermon and prayer. They took him to an interrogation center before releasing him on condition that he be banned from entering Al-Aqsa Mosque for a week, with the possibility of renewing the ban after the expiration of the period, on charges of "incitement."
Last August, the occupation authorities handed the Mufti of Jerusalem and the Palestinian territories, Sheikh Mohammad Hussein, a six-month ban from Al-Aqsa Mosque after arresting him immediately after prayers. In the same month, they also arrested Sheikh Iyad al-Abbasi, the Chief Justice, after he delivered a lecture at Al-Aqsa Mosque prior to the Friday sermon.
In recent months, arrests, summonses, continuous threats, and deportations from Al-Aqsa have targeted a number of Al-Aqsa preachers, including:
• Mufti of Jerusalem and the Palestinian Territories Mohammad Hussein
• Sheikh Ekrima Sabri, Chairman of the Supreme Islamic Council
• Sheikh Mohammad Sarandah
• Sheikh Mohammad Salim Mohammad Ali
• Sheikh Iyad al-Abbasi
In recent months, the persecution policy has extended to all mosque preachers in Jerusalem, with several of them arrested and sentenced to harsh sentences.
• Sheikh Issam Amira (75 years old), from the village of Sur Baher, the oldest prisoner, is serving a three-year prison sentence on charges of "incitement and support for resistance."
• Sheikh Jamal Mustafa (71 years old), from the village of Issawiya, is serving a three-year prison sentence on the same charge.
• Sheikh Naim Odeh (61 years old), was released after serving his 16-month sentence.
• Sheikh Mahmoud Abu Khdeir, was released after serving his 13-month prison sentence.
