Former Jerusalem mufti slams Egypt’s Grand mufti’s visit to al-Aqsa mosque

Thursday, 10 May 2012

Former Grand Mufti of Jerusalem and Palestine Sheikh Ekrima Sabri said that if Muslim citizens of Europe or America visit Israel, their visit would not be considered as an act of recognizing the occupation. (File photo)

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By Al Arabiya

Former Grand Mufti of Jerusalem and Palestine Sheikh Ekrima Sabri criticized a controversial visit by Egypt’s Grand Mufti Ali Gomaa to al-Aqsa Mosque, saying it was wrong both religiously and politically.

“On the religious level, one should not deal with, support, or recognize the enemy,” Sheikh Sabri said in an interview with Al Arabiya’s “Noqtat Nezam” (Point of Order), scheduled to be aired on Friday.

Egypt’s Grand Mufti Ali Gomaa’s visit to Jerusalem has stirred uproar in the Arab and Muslim world. (File photo)

Defenders of Gomaa’s visit to Jerusalem have cited the Prophet Mohammed’s visit to Mecca while the city was under control of the tribe of Quraish , his enemy at the time.

But Sheikh Sabri rejected this comparison saying: “When Prophet Mohammed went to Mecca, it was not under occupation while Jerusalem is.”

Sheikh Sabri said from a political perspective Gomaa’s visit implied the recognition of Israeli’s occupation.

“Recognition is a form of normalization because no one can enter Jerusalem without an Israeli visa or without proper coordination with the Israeli security forces.”

But if Muslim citizens of Europe or America visit Israel, their visit would not be considered as an act of “recognizing the occupation,” Sabri said.

“If German or French Muslims visit Jerusalem, this is not normalization since their countries already recognize Israel.

“Some Arab governments might not boycott Israel, but their people do and they reject normalization.”

Sabri pointed out that attempts at the “Judaization” of Jerusalem are going at a much faster pace at the moment with the Israeli occupation taking advantage of the Arab world’s pre-occupation with revolutions and upheavals in the region.

“The Arab Spring will not have a positive impact on Jerusalem until things settle down in the countries that witnessed uprisings. Only then will they be able to focus on Jerusalem.”

Sabri added that Arab countries have also not met several of their commitments, including a pledge to provide Jerusalem with $500 million.

“Whoever laments the loss of Jerusalem should dedicate money to it.”