Imam of al-Aqsa tells MEE: We won't stand idle if al-Aqsa is shut

MEE spoke to Dr Sheikh Ekrimah Saeed Sabry, imam of al-Aqsa and former grand mufti of Jerusalem, after dawn prayers on Friday.

"[Israeli authorities] were forced to open the gates, because al-Aqsa is for Muslims, not for Jews. Today the mosque is open, but only for people aged 50 and over.

"Only about 100 worshippers entered al-Aqsa for morning prayers.

"Now that the doors have reopened, things will calm down. There may still be a reaction from the youth who are not allowed access - however, it will be less than if the doors were completely shut."

Sabry said that Friday prayers, when worshippers traditionally gather to hear a sermon, could be a tense moment this week after the closure of the mosque yesterday.

"We will see what will happen for Friday prayers.

"If al-Aqsa is shut again, we will not stand by idle."