Mohammed Ayesh
Middle East Monitor / August 31, 2020
One of Jerusalem’s most prominent religious figures, Sheikh Ekrima Sa’id Sabri, has insisted that the United Arab Emirates has no authority over the city’s Al-Aqsa Mosque or to speak on behalf of the Palestinians, Arabi21 reported.
The Al-Aqsa cleric and former Grand Mufti of Jerusalem was responding to reports that the UAE’s deal to normalise relations with Israel included clauses about changes over prayer arrangements at the mosque which are currently reserved for Muslims.
Sabri said: “In light of what has been reported by the media, we confirm again and again that Al-Aqsa is all that is inside the wall, including all buildings, facilities and squares, and it is for Muslims alone by a decision from God Almighty, and not by a decision of a security council or a UN body.”
“No state or authority has the power to act in Al-Aqsa. This is unacceptable, and we cannot give up even an inch of it,” he said.
Mohammad Ayesh is an Arab journalist currently based in London
