The Grand Mufti raised the stakes: he issued a Fatwa that says that Muslims are not allowed to enter Temple Mount through the "Metal detectors", and that whoever enters the Temple Mount through the "electronic doors", will not have their prayers answered.

Muslim worshipers continued their protest for the second day against newly installed metal detectors at the entrances to the Temple Mount and avoided entering the compound. As part of the protests, the worshipers conducted prayers outside the gates on Monday and called on the police and the Israeli government to reverse the measures.

Police opened three gates for Muslim worshipers on Monday morning: the Gate of the Tribes, Bab al-Asbat; the Gate of the Council, Bab al-Majlis; and the Chain Gate, Bab al-Silsala. Police also eased restrictions on entering the gates of the Old City and opened adjacent streets for traffic.


The actions came a day after the Temple Mount was reopened to the public following Friday’s deadly attack in which two Israeli policemen were killed and their three armed assailants shot dead.

The decision to reopen the Temple Mount for prayer services followed the placement of metal detectors next to each gate to monitor and prevent the smuggling of firearms and other weapons into the compound, and plans for the installation of surveillance cameras to improve security. It was not disclosed, however, when and where the cameras will be placed


The Wakf Muslim religious trust and other Muslim authorities released a statement on Monday calling on Muslims to keep the ban.

“If the metal detectors continue to be imposed on the gates to the blessed al-Aksa Mosque, we call upon our people to pray and worship in front of the gates of the al-Aksa Mosque and in the streets of Jerusalem and its alleys,” the statement read.

A couple of hundred worshipers came to the Lion’s Gate at approximately 12:45 p.m. to participate in the noon prayer. Police stood nearby as the worshipers prostrated themselves onto mats and pieces of cardboard.


Following the prayers, the worshipers chanted against the new measure and called for the liberation of al-Aksa Mosque. They also helped enforcing the ban and called on people not to enter the compound.

After prayer ended, the police cleared the area to open the road that was blocked by the protesters.

In the evening, residents were removed after they blocked a street and threw stones and other objects at police who dealt with the incident.

Jerusalem District Police Commander, Maj.-Gen. Yoram Halevy said in an interview to Army Radio on Monday that despite the harsh response, Palestinians will get used to the metal detectors.

“We intend that anyone who wishes to enter the compound will be checked,” he said. “If that won’t be the situation we will shut all the gates, and we do not want to reach that,” he added.

http://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/Muslims-refuse-to-enter-Temple-Mount-over-Israeli-measures-for-2nd-day-499951