CUFI can exclusively reveal that the former Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, a terrorist-supporting, Holocaust-denying anti-Semite who has called for the destruction of Britain will meet MPs in the UK Parliament this September.
According to an email seen by CUFI that was sent to MPs, pro-Palestinian group, EuroPal, will be leading a delegation from Jerusalem between 11-15 September and includes Sheikh Ekrima Sabri (also known as Ikrima al-Sabri), who was Grand Mufti from 1994 to 2006. The purpose of the visit is to discuss the “recent escalation in Jerusalem”.
SIGN PETITION TO BAN SHEIKH SABRI FROM THE UK
Appointed by Yasser Arafat, Sabri was removed by Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas over his increasing extreme views. He was also banned from entering France in 2012.
Here is an example of some of his hate speech:
In 2001, Sabri stated in a sermon on PA Radio, “Allah, destroy the U.S., its helpers and its agents. Allah, destroy Britain, its helpers and its agents. Allah, prepare those who will unite the Muslims and march in the steps of Saladin. Allah, we ask you for forgiveness before death, and mercy and forgiveness after death. Allah, grant victory to Islam and the Muslims…”
Sheikh Sabri has also praised martyrdom in his sermons. In a sermon on Palestinian television in 2001 he said, “The Muslim loves death and [strives for] martyrdom. He does not fear the oppression of the arrogant or the weapons of the blood-letters. The blessed and sacred soil of Palestine has vomited all the invaders and all the colonialists throughout history and it will soon vomit, with Allah’s help, the [present] occupiers.”
In support of child martyrs, he said, ” There is no doubt that a child [martyr] suggests that the new generation will carry on the mission with determination. The younger the martyr – the greater and the more I respect him… They [mothers of martyrs] willingly sacrifice their offspring for the sake of freedom.”
On Jews he has said, “I enter the mosque of Al-Aqsa with my head up and at the same time I am filled with rage toward the Jews. I have never greeted a Jew when I came near one. I never will. They cannot even dream that I will. The Jews do not dare to bother me, because they are the most cowardly creatures Allah has ever created…”
In a 2000 interview with the Italian newspaper la Repubblica, Sabri responded to a question about the Holocaust by stating, “Six million Jews dead? No way, they were much fewer. Let’s stop with this fairytale exploited by Israel to capture international solidarity. It is not my fault if Hitler hated Jews, indeed they were hated a little everywhere. Instead, it is necessary to denounce the unjust occupation endured by my people.”
And in a New York Times magazine interview with Jeffrey Goldberg, he said “If the Jews want peace, they will stay away from Al Aksa…This is a decree from God. The Haram al-Sharif belongs to the Muslim. But we know the Jew is planning on destroying the Haram. The Jew will get the Christian to do his work for him. This is the way of the Jews. This is the way Satan manifests himself. The majority of the Jews want to destroy the mosque. They are preparing this as we speak.”
CUFI is partnering with Israel Britain Alliance in contacting every MP questioning the appropriateness of allowing the former Mufti into the Palace of Westminster. All MPs have also been sent a Timeline of Temple Mount Tensions, provided by CUFI.
The email from EuroPal to MPs reads:
“EuroPal Forum is organising a delegation from Jerusalem to the UK, to raise concerns over the recent escalation in Jerusalem and its impact on the livelihood of Palestinians in the holy city, especially in the face of the rising violence we are witnessing today.”
“The delegation visit will take place from 11th to 15th September 2017 and it will include about six members of community leaders and NGOs representatives from Jerusalem including Sheikh Ekrima Sabri, who was the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem and Palestine from October 1994 to July 2006 and the current Imam of Al-Aqsa Mosque.
The email suggests that the delegation wants to “promote dialogue and a better understanding of the Palestinian narrative” and “to put more efforts and exchange ideas to reach a just solution which can achieve justice and true peace in the Middle East.”