Abbas’ advisor: Temporarily closing the Al-Aqsa Mosque following a stabbing attack there “is a declaration of war against Islam,” calls on Muslims to carry out Ribat there

Headline: “Al-Habbash: Closing the Al-Aqsa Mosque is a declaration of war against Islam and the Muslims”

“Supreme Shari’ah Judge of Palestine and [PA] President [Mahmoud Abbas’] Advisor on Religious Affairs and Islamic Relations Mahmoud Al-Habbash said that the fact that the Israeli occupation forces closed the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque is a declaration of war against Islam and the Muslims (the Temple Mount was temporarily closed after two Palestinian terrorists stabbed an Israeli policeman near the site on Aug. 15, 2019; see note below –Ed.).

In a press release he condemned the closure of the Al-Aqsa Mosque’s gates and the removal from it of the worshippers and those carrying out Ribat (i.e., religious conflict over land claimed to be Islamic) yesterday evening, Thursday, and the imposition of conditions on the ages of the worshippers entering it…

Al-Habbash called ‘on the Muslims worldwide to mobilize and come to the Al-Aqsa Mosque to carry out Ribat there and defend it alongside their Palestinian and Jerusalem brothers, as the Al-Aqsa Mosque is the First Direction of Prayer of all of the Muslims, and not only of the Palestinians to whom Allah has granted the honor of guarding and defending it.’”

Mahmoud Al-Habbash also serves as Chairman of the Supreme Council for Shari'ah Justice.

Nassim Abu Roumi and Hamouda Al-Sheikh – 14-year-old Palestinian terrorists who stabbed and wounded an Israeli police officer at the Chain Gate of the Temple Mount in the Old City of Jerusalem on Aug. 15, 2019. Abu Roumi and Al-Sheikh were shot and killed during the attack; a Waqf guard bystander was wounded by the gunfire.