The former Grand Mufti of Jerusalem and imam of Al-Aqsa, Sheikh Ekrima Sabri, has issued a fatwa – an Islamic edict – forbidding the “internalization” and “Judaization” of Jerusalem under Islamic law.
According to the Times of Israel, Sheikh Sabri, who is set to visit UK Parliament next week, wrote in the fatwa that “the internationalization and Judaization of Jerusalem is forbidden and unlawful under Islamic law. It is a sin to assist in the internationalization or Judaization of this city.”
After explaining his view of the importance of Jerusalem to Islam, Sabri condemned “those who [would] withdraw from Jerusalem” as people who “withdraw from the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque, which is the crown of Jerusalem.”
International agreements “to protect Al-Aqsa” are permissible, Sabri wrote, as long as they do not include the United Nations.
“If an agreement is signed between Arab and Islamic states only to protect Al-Aqsa, there’s nothing wrong with that. This is their duty, as long as the agreement does not internationalize or Judaize, and as long as the UN is not involved.”
CUFI revealed on Thursday that Sabri, who has called for the destruction of Britain, denied the Holocaust and supported child martyrs, 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 and is an imam at Al-Aqsa mosque. The purpose of the visit is to discuss the “recent escalation in Jerusalem”.
CUFI launched a petition calling upon Amber Rudd to ban the extremist sheikh from entering the country and not be allowed to attend Parliament. It has so far gathered more than 16,000 signatures.
