Mufti says settlers do not respect Ramadan, faiths or holy places

The Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, Sheikh Mohamed Hussein, said on Sunday that Israeli settlers have no respect for Ramadan, other faiths or holy places, Middle East News Agency has reported. The mufti added that illegal Israeli settlers are plotting to divide the city of Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Sheikh Hussein’s comments were made following the latest desecration of Al-Aqsa by settlers. He noted that settlers’ incitement is not connected to Ramadan alone. “It goes far beyond this,” he insisted. “They want to divide access to and use of Al-Aqsa Mosque before destroying it and building their so-called temple.” Such activities are occurring daily, he pointed out.

Calling the efforts by Muslim countries “weak”, the mufti said, “It is the time for the Muslim Ummah to take its responsibility seriously for the protection of Jerusalem and the Noble Sanctuary of Al-Aqsa.”

Dozens of settlers broke into Al-Aqsa Mosque through Al-Magharbeh Gate on Sunday. They were protected by a large number of police officers.

Extremist Rabbi Yehuda Glick was among the settlers who broke into the mosque. He introduced the settlers to various Talmudic explanations despite the presence of many Muslim worshippers in the main prayer hall. The settlers’ action was described by worshippers as “provocative and a defiant violation of the sanctuary on the first day of the holy month of Ramadan.”