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Protest organized for Al Aqsa mosque standoff in Vancouver
7-25-2017
Vancouver Muslim are set to organize a protest march after Israel set up metal detectors that have sparked a major backlash from Palestinians at the entrances of al-Aqsa mosque.
Palestinian’s see them as part of Israeli effort to assert its control over Masjid Al Aqsa.
As A protest Palestinian crowds have refused to pass through the metal detectors and instead have carried out their prayer services in the street outside the mosque.
“They are taking al-Aqsa from us. Without al-Aqsa we are nothing,” said one Palestinian man who joined hundreds of others to pray in the street in the 89F (31C) heat.
The Palestinian Authority has suspended all official contact with Israel until the metal detectors are removed.
Mutahhir Abu Ibrahim, a 40-year-old driver said, “This is a humiliation to Muslims,” “It’s a holy place for Muslims and Israel has no right to control it.”
“We will redeem al-Aqsa with our blood,” demonstrators chanted in defiance. “To Jerusalem we go, to be the martyrs of the millions,” went another.
On Tuesday the Israeli Prime Minister's Office announced Israel is removing installed metal detectors outside the entrance to the al-Aqsa mosque. The decision comes amid high-level discussions between Israel and Jordan.
Israeli media earlier reported high resolution cameras capable of detecting hidden objects would be deployed.
Muslim leaders in Jerusalem, however, rejected the announcement, demanding that arrangements go back to how they were before the new measures were announced.
"No entry into al-Aqsa mosque until after an assessment by a Waqf technical committee and the return of the situation to how it was before the 14th of this month," read a statement from the Waqf, the Islamic endowments organisation which administers the mosque compound.
Israel took control of the area during the 1967 war. Israel and Jordan play major role in administering the mosque. Under the Deal Israel opted for a compromise: only Muslims would be allowed to pray at the site but Jews could visit at certain times and under certain restrictions. The 37-acre walled compound is under the Waqf, Which was to remain in charge of day-to-day affairs inside the mosque compound under the aegis of Jordan. Jordan’s special role in administering the site was reaffirmed in its 1994 peace treaty with Israel.
Jamal Zahalka, an Arab member of the Israeli Parliament said “The metal detectors are a political issue,” “They have them all over the world, in supermarkets, shopping malls, everywhere. But they are there by consensus, not imposed by somebody else.”
The march will take place on Friday, July 28th, 2017 at 7 pm at Vancouver art Gallery. 750 Hornby St, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2H7
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