The Muslim Judicial Council and the Al Quds Foundation have condemned the recent attacks in the compound of Masjidul Aqsa in the occupied East Jerusalem. In a joint statement, the groups have expressed their dismay at the continuous disregard by Israeli occupation forces for the sanctity of Masjidul Aqsa, the third most holiest site in Islam.

Recent reports say that Israeli officials forcibly entered the Al Qibliy mosque, and integral part of the Masjidul Aqsa compound on Wednesday morning, fired rubber bullets and tear gas while burning a section of the prayer carpet. The attacked caused injuries to a number of Muslims praying inside.

Dr Yassine Hammoud, the director-general of the Al Quds International Institute, said this latest attack is a definitive move by the occupation forces to create the right climate and tone for Israeli settlers to attack and violate the sanctity of Masjidul Aqsa further under their protection. Hammoud called on the Arab and Muslim world to jump into action and move towards the protection of Masjidul Aqsa and to safeguard it from continuous desecration by Zionist settlers.

Hammoud appealed to the Jordanian and Palestinian authorities to stop their “deafening silence” and to take a brave step in preserving Masjidul Aqsa. However, Hammoud said that if these authorities do not do so, they themselves will be guilty of legitimising the attacks and transgressions against Masjidul Aqsa as well as consenting to its division. VOC (Ra’eesah Isaacs)