Israel authorities have arrested a grand mufti of Jerusalem, Sheikh Ekrima Sabri for mourning the death of the slain Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh during a Friday, August 2 sermon at the Al Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem.
It was learnt that the arrest of Sheikh Sabri occurred after he led a funeral prayer in absentia and delivered a eulogy for slain Hamas top leader Haniyeh at Al-Aqsa Mosque during Friday prayers.
In his sermon, Sheikh Sabri said, “Before beginning the sermon, we, the people of Jerusalem, and from the pulpit of Al-Aqsa Mosque, count the martyr Ismail Haniyeh among the righteous. We ask God Almighty to have mercy on him and grant him a place in Paradise alongside the prophets, the truthful, the martyrs, and the righteous.”
Israeli Occupation police announced they were investigating Sheikh Sabri’s sermon for potential incitement and would act accordingly based on their findings.
In response, Israeli Occupation Interior Minister has reportedly called for the revocation of Sheikh Sabri’s residency status in Jerusalem, known as his “Jerusalem ID,” following his remarks. Some settlers have even circulated calls to target his home in Jerusalem, sharing its coordinates online.
The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas condemned Sheikh Sabri’s arrest, calling it a direct attack on religious leaders and figures defending the Arab identity of Jerusalem and the Islamic nature of Al-Aqsa Mosque. They demanded his immediate release and urged action to protect religious leaders from Israeli Occupation violations.
Hamas stated, “We hold the occupation fully responsible for the safety of Sheikh Sabri and any potential harm that may come to him, whether physical or mental.”
Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated allegedly by Israel in Iran’s capital, Tehran, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said on Wednesday, Press TV reported.
During the Friday Khutba (sermon) speech, Sheikh Sabri who is also serving as the current head of its Supreme Islamic Council called Haniye, a “martyr” and stated that the people of Jerusalem and its surroundings mourned the martyr Haniyeh from the pulpit of the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque.er
Subsequently, Israeli occupation forces stormed into the house of the Imam to arrest him, and took him for investigation to the “Al-Maskobyeh” police station, according to a relative who spoke tor Anadolu
Video footage captures the moment Israeli forces arrested 85-year-old Ekrima Sabri from his home in Jerusalem.