Latest news with #PalestinianMinistryofAwqafandReligiousAffairs
Saba Yemen
7 days ago
- Politics
- Saba Yemen
Israeli Occupation installs fire alarms in Ibrahimi Mosque as Hebron Endowment warns of "illegal interference"
Hebron – Saba: Israeli occupation authorities have installed fire alarm systems inside the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron, south of the occupied West Bank, exploiting a 12-day security closure—a move condemned by the Hebron Endowment as an "unlawful violation" of its jurisdiction. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the General Administration of the Hebron Endowment, affiliated with the Palestinian Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs, said: "The Israeli authorities installed fire alarms throughout the Ibrahimi Mosque compound, taking advantage of the closure imposed under the pretext of security concerns." The administration deemed this measure "a blatant violation and illegal interference in the authority of the Ministry of Awqaf, the sole entity responsible for managing the mosque," according to the Anadolu Agency. The Hebron Endowment emphasized that this step "comes amid ongoing Israeli obstruction of the Palestinian firefighting system project, following their recent unjustified locking of electrical control panels." On June 11, the Palestinian Ministry of Awqaf reported that Israeli occupation forces had padlocked electrical panels inside the Ibrahimi Mosque, risking power cuts to vital lighting systems. The endowment called for urgent intervention to halt these repeated violations against the Ibrahimi Mosque, which reopened earlier today after a 12-day closure citing "security reasons." Located in the old city of Hebron—under full Israeli control—the Ibrahimi Mosque is surrounded by roughly 400 Zionist settlers guarded by some 1,500 Israeli occupation soldiers. In 1994, Israel divided the mosque, allocating 63% for Jewish worship and 37% for Muslims, following a massacre by a Jewish settler that killed 29 Palestinian worshippers. The Jewish section includes the prayer hall. Whatsapp Telegram Email Print more of (International)
Roya News
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Roya News
Far-right 'Israeli' minister Ben-Gvir storms Aqsa Mosque amid police protection
'Israeli' National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir stormed the Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem early Wednesday, accompanied by dozens of settlers and protected by heavily armed 'Israeli' police. According to the Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs in Jerusalem, Ben-Gvir entered the courtyards of the mosque under tight security measures enforced by 'Israeli' forces, including special units. It marks his eighth intrusion into the site since joining Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's far-right government in 2022. Eyewitnesses and local sources reported that groups of settlers entered the compound from the Moroccan Gate (Bab al-Maghariba), performed provocative tours, and received briefings about the so-called 'Temple Mount.' Some were seen performing open Talmudic rituals near the eastern section of the mosque before exiting through the Chain Gate (Bab al-Silsila). The incursion was led by Ben-Gvir alongside senior Israeli police officers, drawing widespread condemnation from Palestinians in Jerusalem. The Palestinian Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs described the move as a serious provocation and a deliberate escalation. In parallel, 'Israeli' police intensified their restrictions at the mosque's entrances, preventing many Palestinians from entering or praying. Several worshippers had their ID cards confiscated, while others were delayed or turned away entirely—a continuation of long-standing measures aimed at tightening 'Israeli' control over the holy site.
Al Manar
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Al Manar
Israeli Minister Ben Gvir Storms Al-Aqsa Mosque
The Zionist entity's so-called National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir stormed the Aqsa Mosque in occupied Al-Quds (Jerusalem) on Wednesday, accompanied by dozens of settlers and protected by heavily armed Israeli occupation police. According to the Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs in Al-Quds, Ben-Gvir entered the courtyards of the mosque under tight security measures enforced by occupation forces, including special units. It marks his eighth intrusion into the holy site since joining Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's far-right government in 2022. Israeli Jewish supremacist and hard-right minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, heavily protected by police, breaks into the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem, in defiance of the sentiments of millions of Muslims worldwide. — Quds News Network (@QudsNen) June 11, 2025 Eyewitnesses and local sources reported that groups of settlers entered the compound from the Moroccan Gate (Bab Al-Maghariba), performed provocative tours. Some were seen performing open Talmudic rituals near the eastern section of the mosque before exiting through the Chain Gate (Bab al-Silsila). The incursion was led by Ben-Gvir alongside senior Israeli police officers, drawing widespread condemnation from Palestinians in Al-Quds. The Palestinian Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs described the move as a serious provocation and a deliberate escalation. In parallel, Israeli occupation police intensified their restrictions at the mosque's entrances, preventing many Palestinians from entering or praying. Several worshippers had their ID cards confiscated, while others were delayed or turned away entirely—a continuation of long-standing measures aimed at tightening Israeli control over the holy site. Israeli settlers perform epic prostration while breaking into the courtyards of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied Jerusalem under police cover. — Eye on Palestine (@EyeonPalestine) June 10, 2025 The Aqsa Mosque compound, the third holiest site in Islam, is frequently targeted by settler incursions, often under police escort, in actions widely seen by Palestinians as attempts to change the religious and historical status quo.
Jordan Times
27-04-2025
- Politics
- Jordan Times
Gaza's historic mosques, shrines reduced to rubble in Israeli offensive
Qasr Al Basha destroyed by Israeli offensive in Gaza Strip (Photo of J.-M de Tarragon) AMMAN — Not a single historic mosque in Gaza remains untouched following months of relentless Israeli bombardment, according to British archaeologist Claudine Dauphin. 'Every historic mosque in Gaza has been either partially or completely destroyed,' said Dauphin, who is affiliated with several archaeological missions in the region. Among the most significant losses are the Omari Mosque and the KatibWilaya Mosque, both located in the Zaytun quarter of Gaza's Old City. The KatibWilaya Mosque was originally constructed with funding from Ahmad Bey, the province's chief secretary (katibwilaya) in 1586 during the Ottoman period. Its minaret once stood beside the bell tower of the Church of St. Procopius, symbolizing centuries of Muslim-Christian coexistence in Gaza—a connection also evident in the mosaic floors of the nearby Jabaliya Church. 'In the Shuja'iyya quarter, the Mamluk-era Zafardamri Mosque, built in 1360, was deliberately leveled in an airstrike,' Dauphin added. 'The Mahkama Mosque, also Mamluk in origin, was similarly destroyed during the 2014 assault and again in the current offensive.' The destruction extended beyond Mamluk and Ottoman heritage. The Othman Bin Qashqar Mosque was struck during an air raid in December 2023, and the Sayyid Hashim Mosque, built in Ottoman style and covering 2,400 square meters, was razed in the Daraj quarter. Shrines, too, have been systematically targeted. The shrine of the Prophet Yusuf near Jabaliya, destroyed in 2014, was followed by widespread losses since October 2023. Among the shrines destroyed are the Al Husseini, Abu Al Azim, Ali Abu Al Kass, and Ali ibn Marwan shrines in Gaza City, as well as the Sheikh 'Ali Al Mintar and Shaykh Radwan shrines on Tel Al-Mintar. Numerous other maqamat (shrines) in Al Shaykh 'Ajlun were also obliterated. Of special cultural and interfaith significance was the shrine of Al Khidr in Rafah, which held particular meaning for Christians who believed it housed the tomb of St. Hilarion, founder of Palestinian monasticism. Modern mosques, built after the Ottoman period, were not spared. According to a January 2024 report by the Palestinian Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs, at least 1,000 of the 1,200 modern mosques in the Gaza Strip have been partially or entirely destroyed. 'Among the losses in Gaza City are the Ali Ibn Marwan, Shaikh Zakaria, Al Mughrabi, and Sett Ruqayya mosques,' Dauphin noted. Cultural and educational institutions were also hit. The Al Kamiliya Madrasa, built in 1237 by Ayyubid Sultan Al Kamil and featuring a central courtyard and two floors, was the last historic madrasa still standing in Gaza before it was destroyed. It had served both as a Quranic school and a shelter for poor students and travelers until 1930. Cemeteries have not been spared either. At least 16 Muslim cemeteries across the Gaza Strip have been damaged or destroyed since October 2023. Among them is the Beit Hanoun Cemetery near Khan Yunis, which was reportedly excavated by Israeli forces. The Israeli military claimed they were searching for a Hamas tunnel or hostages, but provided no evidence, and independent verification of the alleged tunnel has not been possible. 'These sacred spaces, mosques, shrines, schools, and cemeteries, are not only part of Gaza's cultural fabric,' Dauphin said. 'Their destruction represents a profound loss of historical heritage, not just for Palestinians but for humanity.' Page 2
Saudi Gazette
06-04-2025
- Politics
- Saudi Gazette
More than 500 Israeli settlers storm Al-Aqsa Mosque under heavy police protection
JERUSALEM — Over 500 illegal Israeli settlers stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex in occupied East Jerusalem on Sunday, according to Palestinian authorities. In a statement, the Jerusalem Governorate confirmed the incursion took place under the heavy protection of Israeli police forces, who were seen stationed inside the compound during the settler entry. Eyewitnesses reported that the settlers intensified their provocations in the lead-up to the week-long Jewish Passover holiday, which begins on April 12. The Palestinian Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs said Al-Aqsa Mosque was stormed 21 times last month alone, coinciding with the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Figures from the Jerusalem Governorate indicate that 13,064 settlers have illegally entered the compound in the first quarter of 2025. Since 2003, Israeli authorities have allowed settlers to enter the mosque compound almost daily, except on Fridays and Saturdays, a policy widely condemned by Palestinians and much of the international captured East Jerusalem, including the Al-Aqsa compound, in the 1967 Arab-Israeli War and later annexed it in 1980 — a move not recognized by the international community.
