The broader South African Muslim community has been urged to show it’s solidarity with their religious counterparts in the city of Jerusalem, by joining a protest march scheduled for the 28th September. The demonstration is aimed at raising awareness to further incursions on the Al-Aqsa compound by Israeli forces, with concerns that the countries Zionist regime may be attempting an aggressive assault to take full control of the highly contentious religious site.

Maulana Abdul Khaliq Allie, secretary general of the Muslim Judicial Council (MJC) has described recent attacks on al-Aqsa as the worst since 1969, when Australian citizen, Michael Rohan infamously burned down the mimbar of Salahudin Ayyubi in the mosque. The MJC, along with the Al Quds Foundation, are firm that the mosque remains a ‘waqf’ for the global Muslim community, effectively holding practioners of the faith responsible for its safeguarding.

“It is not only Masjid al-Aqsa but the Christian community and some of the churches that are being threatened. The Zionist entity is in reality an enemy against humanity,” he said.

The MJC have thus resolved to collaborate on a march to bring light to the current situation at Al-Aqsa, and particular the dangers the facilities and those that frequent it now face. These dangers include the use of tear gas and physical brutality against protesters, including woman and school children determined to defend the site.

“We witnessed the brutality of the Zionist occupiers, but on the other hand we also witnessed the bravery of the Palestinians,” said Allie, who recently returned from a visit to the occupied territories.

Sheikh Isgaak Taliep, national executive manager of Al Quds Foundation said Zionists were making every effort to take full control of the masjid, suggesting that with their current regulation of movements the regime was effectively already in control.

“That is the reality of the matter. Those people that go to Masjid Al-Aqsa perform salaah and attend the classes; their movements are regulated by the Zionist regime. In terms of the broad plan, they are already at point number four,” he stated.

He reiterated that it was the duty of the international community to “speak up and speak out”, to prevent falling on the wrong side of history.

The march will take place on Monday 28 September, from 11am onwards. The procession will follow the popular Keizersgracht route, marching towards parliament where a memorandum will be handed over to government. VOC (Mubeen Banderker)