Sheikh Ikrima Sabri: Conspiracies Targeting Al-Aqsa and the “Deal of the Century” as an Attempt to Hand It Over to Jews
The preacher of Al-Aqsa Mosque and member of the Board of Trustees of the International Union of Muslim Scholars, Sheikh Ikrima Sabri, warned on Tuesday that ongoing conspiracies, including the “Deal of the Century” previously proposed by former U.S. President Donald Trump, aim to hand over Al-Aqsa Mosque to the Jews.
Trump, who served as president from 2017 to 2021, is set to begin his second term on January 20 after winning the recent elections.
Speaking in Istanbul at a meeting hosted by the “Ummah’s Path Association” on the theme “Palestine is Our Right,” Sheikh Sabri emphasized that Palestine belongs to all Muslims, not just Palestinians, citing religious and historical evidence to support his statement.
Sheikh Sabri outlined several dimensions of Muslims’ right to Palestine. The first dimension is the theological and faith-based aspect, as Palestine is an integral part of Islamic belief.
He added that Jerusalem holds spiritual significance as the gateway from Earth to Heaven during the Night Journey and Ascension (Isra and Miraj) and is the land of the gathering and resurrection on Judgment Day.
The second dimension pertains to worship, with Sheikh Sabri highlighting that praying in Al-Aqsa Mosque is equivalent to 500 prayers in any other mosque, citing a hadith of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
The third dimension is political, referring to the peaceful conquest of Jerusalem by Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab, who entered the city without violence and preserved its churches and religious sanctities.
Sheikh Sabri criticized the Israeli occupation’s attempts to prevent the call to prayer, particularly for Fajr (dawn) and Isha (night) prayers, under the pretext of disturbing settlers. He affirmed that the call to prayer, “Allahu Akbar,” will continue until the Day of Judgment.
He emphasized that the Palestinian people remain steadfast in their right to their land and will not surrender despite ongoing aggression, particularly in the Gaza Strip. He noted that Palestinians’ resilience stems from their faith in their rights.
Sheikh Sabri pointed out that Israel and its allies are conspiring against Al-Aqsa Mosque to sever Muslims’ connection to it, citing the “Deal of the Century,” announced by Trump in January 2020. The plan, rejected by Palestinians, was criticized for its bias towards Israel.
He also revealed Israeli efforts to restrict Turkish visitors to Al-Aqsa, particularly during the Gaza conflict, and called on Muslims to continue supporting Jerusalem and resisting surrender.
In conclusion, Sheikh Sabri urged steadfastness and patience until relief comes. He noted that, despite ongoing excavations around Al-Aqsa, the occupation has found no evidence of the alleged Temple.
Source: Agencies