Israel bars Sheikh Sabri from Al-Aqsa Mosque

Israel has barred Sheikh Ekrima Sabri, head of the Higher Islamic Committee in Jerusalem Al-Quds, from the Al-Aqsa Mosque for six months.

The restriction order was handed to Sheikh Sabri, the Khatib (speaker) of the Al- Aqsa Mosque, immediately after he returned to the country on Wednesday after leading a pilgrimage to Mecca.

Israeli authorities in Jerusalem Al -Quds ordered Sheikh Sabri to report to the city's police headquarters in order to 'officially' receive the order.

His lawyer, Khalid Zabarqa, demanded that the police to grant him more time to rest after his travel, but the request was rejected by the police, who threatened to arrest the Sheikh if he refused to comply.

Sheikh Sabri was then forced to go to the Al Maskobiyya interrogation center to receive the order.

"No occupying power can prevent Muslims from praying in mosques," Sheikh Sabri said.

This is not the first time Israeli officials have prevented Muslim figures from entering the Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Earlier, Israel had barred Sheikh Raed Salah, head of the Islamic movement in the occupied Palestine, and Hatem Abdel Kader, an official responsible for the city's affairs in the Palestinian government, from entering the Al-Aqsa Mosque.