Israel Bans Jerusalem Grand Mufti From Al-Aqsa Mosque
Israeli authorities have banned Muhammad Ahmad Hussein, the grand mufti of Jerusalem, from entering the Al-Aqsa Mosque for six months, his attorney Khaldoun Najem said on Wednesday.
Najem said Israeli police “did not interrogate” or held a hearing for the mufti prior to their decision, which stipulates that Hussein will not be allowed to enter the mosque until January 2026.
Hussein’s lawyer said that the ban was due to a Friday sermon the mufti gave at Al-Aqsa in late July, “which contained nothing inappropriate”.
Palestinian news agency Wafa said the sermon had focused on deteriorating conditions in Gaza and growing starvation in the territory.
Israel had already issued an eight-day ban against Hussein following that sermon, Wafa said.
