The Israeli Authorities in Jerusalem handed Sheikh Ekrima Sabri, head of the Higher Islamic Committee in Jerusalem, a restriction order preventing him from entering the Al Aqsa Mosque, in East Jerusalem, for six months.Sheikh Sabri is also the Khatib of the Al Aqsa Mosque.
The Sheikh was handed the new order on Wednesday directly after he returned to the country after conducting pilgrimage in Mecca.
He was ordered to head to the Police Station in the city to officially receive the order, but his lawyer, Khalid Zabarqa, demanded the police to grant him more time as he needs to rest following extended hours of travel.
The police rejected the request and threatened to arrest the Sheikh which forced him to go to the Al Maskobiyya interrogation center to receive the order.
Preventing Palestinian Muslims and Christians from entering the holy places in Jerusalem is an illegal act that violations the International Law and the freedom of religion.
