Jerusalem rioters are “defending the honor of the Islamic nation,” says PA religious leader

Headline: “Al-Habbash: Jerusalem is defending the honor of the nation and the faith of Islam”

“Supreme Shari’ah Judge of Palestine and [PA] President [Mahmoud Abbas’] Advisor on Religious Affairs and Islamic Relations Mahmoud Al-Habbash said that Palestine, Jerusalem, and its residents who are carrying out Ribat (i.e., religious conflict over land claimed to be Islamic) at the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque are dealing with the cruelest and most despicable forms of injustice, oppression, and aggression today with their exposed bodies. He added that with their blood and their lives they are defending the honor of the Islamic nation, the faith of Islam, and the first direction of prayer of the Muslims and the third holiest mosque, which our noble Prophet [Muhammad], peace be upon him, commanded to visit, to fill it, to maintain it, and to protect it…

Al-Habbash held the occupation state fully responsible for every result of its aggression against Jerusalem and the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque, and he warned that a continuation of this aggression will set the entire land on fire, and not just the Palestinian land.”

Mahmoud Al-Habbash also serves as Chairman of the Supreme Council for Shari'ah Justice. In August 2019 PA Chairman Abbas dismissed all his advisors by Presidential decree. It is unclear what their status is today.