Establishing special fund. Salah
Photo: Tomeriko
Salah following his release from prison
Photo: Yaron Druckman
Islamic leader: Al-Aqsa in danger
Leader of the Islamic Movement in Israel, Sheikh Raad Salah, says Israel is imposing a siege on al-Aqsa by building an electric fence and installing cameras around the complex; adds, ‘Women, men, youngsters and children must make their presence felt in the mosque every day, show determination and make it clear to the world that we will redeem the mosque with blood and fire’
The al-Aqsa mosque is still in danger, Islamic Movement leader Sheikh Raad Salah said Friday during a rally in the northern Arab-Israeli town of Um el-Fahem, which was attended by tens of thousands of supporters.
While a rally focusing on al-Aqsa-themed rally takes place every year, this year’s rally centered on the Salah’s release from prison two months ago.
Threats
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According to the Islamic Movement, some 70 thousand people filled the Um el-Fahem soccer stadium.
“We are warning the world, the Islamic nation, the Arab world, the Palestinians and the Israelis that the mosque is in danger,” Salah told the riled-up crowd.
He said Israel is imposing a siege on al-Aqsa by building an electric fence and installing cameras around the complex and that Israel is encircling the mosque in a “settlement-like” manner.
According to Salah, there is also an attempt to build a Jewish city under the mosque.
“The first phase of the plan is set to end in 2007, as will the construction of a tunnel that would reach the area located beneath the mosque under the dismal guise of renovations and reinforcements,” he said.
“In light of all of this we are telling the world that our eternal relations are based on the slogan that every child, elderly person, man and woman says: We will redeem al-Aqsa with blood and spirit.”
'We vow to protect the mosque'
The tens of thousands on hand then proceeded to chant the slogan in unison.
Salah also announced the establishment of a special fund that would raise money in Israel and the rest of the world to fight the alleged Israeli plans against al-Aqsa.
He said that due to the Arab and Muslim nation’s condition, “the al-Aqsa mosque has no defenders other than Palestinian residents of Jerusalem, the Arab citizens of Israel and God.”
“We will make every effort to protect the mosque, and we hereby announce the operation of dozens of buses that will bring thousands of people to al-Aqsa every day so they may defend it,” he said.
“Women, men, youngsters and children must make their presence felt in the mosque every day, show determination and make it clear to the world that we will redeem the mosque with blood and fire.”
Salah called on all Muslims to join the effort.
“You, our Muslim brothers around the world, must stop acting as bystanders and revive al-Aqsa with daily activities in mosques, homes, the media and festivals – because al-Aqsa is dear to us and we vow to protect it,” he said.
