Friday, September 07, 2007

Palestinians attend Friday prayers amid worries of violence

Bethlehem – Ma'an – Muslim Palestinians throughout the Occupied Territories are attending Friday prayers today despite worries that violence may break out as Fatah intends to continue to hold a number of prayer services outdoors in protest of Hamas' control over the Gaza Strip.

Fatah's outdoor prayers led to clashes with Hamas' security services, particularly in Gaza in previous weeks.

Hamas reiterated Friday its decision to prohibit outdoor services, calling them "political prayers." A statement by Mufti Marwan Abu Ras, head of the Palestinian Religious Scientist Forum in Gaza said that Hamas forbids and 'curses' such actions.

Sheikh Muhammad Hussein, the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, meanwhile, ruled that outdoor prayers are allowed under Islamic law, saying "those prayers are allowed, similar to the Prophet Muhammad's prayer in the Eid."

No comments: