'Israel defiled Al-Aqsa Mosque'

Tens of thousands of people gathered in Umm al-Fahm on Friday evening for the annual organized by the Islamic Movement under the banner 'Al-Aqsa is in danger.' The event is intended to help raise funds for the famous mosque in Jerusalem.

The audience greeted the leader of the Islamic Movement in northern Israel, Sheikh Raed Salah, with chants calling for "the redemption of al-Aqsa with blood and fire."

Salah vowed the movement would continue sponsoring the event annually, until it is able to hold it in Jerusalem.

"The enemy must be asking for how long do we intent to hold the Al-Aqsa festival. I say, till the occupation is lifted from Jerusalem and the mosque, then we will have the festival in the mosque itself under a banner of victory."

Salah with supporters at the rally (Photo: Hagai Aharon)

"I say to the Israeli occupation, and those representing it, to (Prime Minister) Olmert, (President) Peres and (Defense Minister) Barak, after 40 years that you are occupying the Al-Aqsa Mosque, and digging all sorts of ditches and building synagogues under the mosque, and building an Israeli museum under the mosque, I say to you that you occupation will be removed from above Jerusalem and from the mosque."

The sheikh told the crowd that the Israeli occupation has defiled the mosque, and that Israelis drank alcohol in it and engaged in sexual acts on its grounds.

"We say to you on behalf of all the people here, that your plan, which we exposed, despite your dream to

destroy the mosque, your occupation will not last for long."

Salah also had a message for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh ahead of the upcoming month of Ramadan. "What we are asking from you both for this holiday, a gift for every Muslim and every free man, is to renew the dialogue and reconcile."

To the Arab world, he said: "Where is your manliness? For 40 years the Al-Aqsa Mosque calls to you and asks where you are. Do you accept that we, the besieged, must ask permission from the Israeli occupation to enter the mosque? Must ask for permission to pray in the mosque?"

Moussa: Arab media must focus on Jerusalem

One of several keynote speakers, Umm al-Fahm Mayor Hasham Abed al-Rahman, called on the leaders of Arab nations to dedicate themselves to working for the Al-Aqsa Mosque and ending the occupation of Arab countries.

Tens of thousands attended (Photo: Hagai Aharon)

"Our hands are outstretched in peace, but at the same time we say: Stop the occupation in Iraq, Afghanistan and Palestine," he said. Al-Rahman also called for unity between the warring Palestinian factions, and said "there will be no peace until there is peace between these movements."

A telegram sent by Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa was also read to the crowd.

"We are saddened by what is happening in Al-Aqsa and by what the Israeli occupation is doing in Jerusalem. Jerusalem is at the center of the Arab League's agenda, and the Arab media should focus on what is being done in the city and in the mosque."

Prominent figures from the Islamic Movement took part in the event, as well as numerous guests from various locations worldwide. Representatives of the Islamic Movement in South Africa were also in

attendance at the rally, which corresponded with a similar event in their own country.

The arrival of the South African delegation was not with incident, as Israeli officials barred the entry of the movement chapter's leader, Sheikh Maulana Ihsan Hendriks.

However, other representatives from the delegation, speaking at the rally on the Sheikh's behalf, called on the audience to be patient.

"Know that the wheel turns, and that the sun will yet shine. We say to you, be patient, in the end victory will belong to Islam. We hope that soon we will pray together in Jerusalem, in Al-Aqsa," said Sheikh Ibrahim Ibrahim, one of the South African delegates.