Israeli police bar Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa preacher from entering mosque for Friday prayers

Israeli police prevented Al-Aqsa Mosque preacher Ikrima Sabri from entering the Muslim holy mosque on Friday to perform prayers, without providing a reason, according to his office.

An official in Sabri’s office told Anadolu that “Israeli police stopped him at the Lions’ Gate and barred him from reaching the mosque despite his attempt to attend prayers.”

Sabri’s office said in a statement that Israeli forces prevented him from entering shortly before prayers, adding that his legal team confirmed the move was carried out “without a formal legal order.”

Sabri serves as imam and preacher of Al-Aqsa Mosque and heads the Higher Islamic Council in Jerusalem.

The ban comes about two years after restrictions were imposed on Sabri’s access to the mosque, including administrative measures and strict limitations, according to the statement.

The local Higher Islamic Council in Jerusalem condemned the move, describing it as an “illegal police thuggery.”

The council said Israeli police “have no authority over Al-Aqsa Mosque and that the decision lacked any legal basis.”

Authority over the mosque belongs to the Islamic administration, the council added, describing the measures as “invalid,” saying they are enforced “by military power,” which has turned the city into “military barracks.”

It also said police are restricting worshippers’ access to the mosque and limiting the work of the Islamic Waqf administration.

In recent years, Israeli authorities have issued multiple orders barring Sabri from entering the Al-Aqsa Mosque and from traveling, and have detained him several times for questioning.

* Writing by Mohammad Sio in Istanbul.