Al-Azhar calls on ICC to stop Israeli violations at Ibrahimi Mosque

CAIRO – 27 February 2021: Egypt’s Al-Azhar Institute condemned in the strongest terms Israel’s repeated attacks on Al-Aqsa Mosque, and banning the Athan (Islamic call for prayer) at Ibrahimi Mosque.

“The provocative policies pursued by Israel, which include infringement of the right to freedom of worship guaranteed by all international constitutions, must be condemned by all rational people around the world, and that everyone should unite to confront them,” said Al-Azhar.

It further called on the International Criminal Court (ICC) to take all legal measures against the violations committed by Tel Aviv.

Al-Azhar also mentioned its permanent and continuous historical support of the oppressed Palestinian people, and their legitimate struggle towards restoring their rights and their seized lands. Al-Azhar further stressed that such violations will not change the fact that Palestine is an Arab country, and that the occupation will end sooner or later.  

In the same context, Egypt’s Grand Mufti Shawqi Allam denounced the Israeli decision of banning the Athan (the Islamic call for prayer) at Hebron's Ibrahimi Mosque under the pretext of settlers' celebration of Purim for the Jewish people.

Allam called upon the international community to apply the international law to stop the occupation authorities from preventing religious rites in mosques and to immediately intervene to stop the Israeli attacks against Jerusalem and its sanctities.

Egypt is keen on peacefully solving conflicts in the region, stressing that the Palestinian problem remains the most important cause of all, despite the peace deal signed between some Arab countries and Israel.