Banning the Islamic movement will not destroy resolve to liberate Al-Aqsa, says Al-Qaradawi

Prominent Muslim scholar Dr Yusuf Al-Qaradawi has downplayed the significance of the Israeli government’s decision to ban the Islamic Movement inside Israel, saying that he is fully convinced that Palestine will return to its people. “I swear to God that the Al-Aqsa Mosque and Palestine will return to its people,” he said, stressing that this is “God’s promise.”

Writing on social media, the head of the World Federation of Muslim Scholars asked, “Does Israel believe that it will extinguish Al-Aqsa’s flame in the hearts of the Palestinians by banning the Islamic movement?” Shaikh Raed Salah and the Islamic Movement will return, he added.

On the occupation’s decision to ban the movement on charges of inciting Muslims to defend Al-Aqsa, Qaradawi pointed out that Muslims, Palestinians and Arabs do not need “incitement” to defend Al-Aqsa. “It is engraved on the hearts of every one of us. The Islamic movement is an idea that is lingering in the soul. Its mission to protect Al-Aqsa Mosque is the cause of every Muslim, Arab and Palestinian. It will not go away by a banning decision [by Israel].”

The Secretary-General of the scholars’ organisation, Shaikh Ali Qara’ Dagi, had warned earlier that the Zionist occupiers are targeting unarmed Palestinians everywhere, including those in hospital. Their only “crime” is trying to defend their occupied land in accordance with Islamic and international law, he pointed out. The official condemned Israel for demolishing Palestinian homes under false and illegal pretexts, amid a global silence that raises many question marks.

“The free world and international organisations, especially the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, the United Nations and the Arab League,” insisted the shaikh, “should act to stop the repeated Zionist attacks against Palestinians, their homes and the sanctities of the nation.” He stressed that the occupation brings only devastation and destruction to the people.