The persecution of Al-Aqsa preachers continues... The occupation arrests Sheikh Mohammad Hussein from inside Al-Aqsa and bans him from entering it for a week
The Israeli occupation authorities issued a one-week ban on Sheikh Mohammad Hussein, the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem and the Palestinian Territories, prohibiting him from entering Al-Aqsa Mosque, with the possibility of extending the ban.
Israeli police detained Sheikh Hussein in a room inside Al-Aqsa Mosque after he completed delivering the Friday sermon and leading the prayer. He was in a room close to the Islamic Museum within the mosque compound when officers arrested him on suspicion of "incitement."
Sheikh Hussein stated that the police transported him to the Al-Buraq Wall police station, where they told him his arrest was due to mentioning martyrs and prisoners during the Friday sermon. He denied this allegation, clarifying that praying for Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), as well as supplicating for martyrs and prisoners, was an act of respect and humanitarian duty, not incitement.
He added that the police informed him that the ban could be renewed after review by the Jerusalem District Police Commander.
These measures are occurring alongside increasing harassment of Al-Aqsa Mosque preachers and imams, including recent arrests, summonses, deportation orders, and bans on entering the mosque, all under the claim of "incitement."
In August last year, the occupation authorities imposed a six-month ban on Sheikh Mohammad Hussein from entering Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Recently, this harassment has also targeted employees of the Islamic Endowment Department, guards and custodians of Al-Aqsa Mosque, along with imams and preachers in Jerusalem mosques. This has involved arrests, summonses, investigations, and deportation orders, reflecting an ongoing crackdown on individuals involved in religious and administrative roles in the city.
