By Abimbola Ogunnaike
The Palestinian Hamas resistance has criticised Israel for forcible removal of 50,000 Palestinian Muslim worshipers from the al-Aqsa Mosque compound during the holy month of Ramadan.
The group said that the move amounts to declaration of a religious war against Palestinians and is an attempt to change the sacred site’s Islamic identity.
Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said in a statement on Monday, 27 March, 2023 that 50,000 Palestinian worshipers had performed Tarawih prayers at al-Aqsa Mosque despite restrictions imposed on their entry to the mosque.
Abu Zuhri said, who called for the constant presence of Palestinians at the al-Aqsa Mosque courtyard, said “Such Israeli measures are part of the Zionist enemy’s failed attempts to impose spatial and temporal divisions on the holy site,”
The Hamas spokesman added that the right-wing Israeli administration led by prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu responsible for the repercussions of the recurrent assaults on Muslim worshipers at al-Aqsa Mosque.
Zuhri called on Arab and Muslim nations to support Palestinian worshipers while they defend the mosque, urging the international community to stop Israeli attacks which are a blatant violation of Palestinians’ right to worship.
On Sunday, the Grand Mufti of al-Quds Sheikh Muhammad Ahmad Hussein slammed the Israeli police for forcibly expelling Muslim worshipers from al-Aqsa Mosque, terming the move as a serious violation against Muslims.
He underlined that such a practice constitutes a provocation to the feelings of Muslims.
