ع
Sheikh Akramah Sabri issued a statement urging Arab and Islamic nations to unify their efforts toward protecting Al-Aqsa Mosque along with all Islamic sanctities, endowment properties in Jerusalem and sites across Palestine. According to a report by Qatar News Agency, the preacher specifically called for worshippers to head to the mosque on August 25 in commemoration of the arson anniversary. Sabri described the event as a persistent moment of grief and a provocative act in the collective memory that requires ongoing remembrance to alert future generations to the dangers facing the site.
The preacher underlined that the commemoration offers a chance to affirm unchanging Islamic rights over the location and to amplify Jerusalem’s voice before the international community. He added that these rights remain non-negotiable and cannot be relinquished under any conditions. The statement arrives as various Palestinian and regional bodies continue to track developments at the compound.
The original arson occurred on August 21, 1969, when a fire deliberately set inside the Qibli prayer hall damaged significant portions of the structure including the historic pulpit associated with Salah Al-Din Al-Ayyubi. Contemporary accounts from the period record that Australian national Denis Michael Rohan was arrested days later and subsequently deemed mentally unfit to stand trial by Israeli authorities. The incident triggered broad condemnation across Muslim-majority countries and contributed directly to the organization of the first Islamic summit conference.
That summit process, according to records maintained by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, laid the groundwork for the establishment of the OIC in 1971 as a permanent body focused on Muslim world coordination. The current anniversary falls 57 years after the fire amid persistent disagreements over access protocols and activities at the site. Reports compiled by Palestinian monitoring groups have documented repeated incursions by non-Muslim visitors alongside periodic limitations placed on Muslim entry and worship.
Sheikh Akramah Sabri has maintained a longstanding role as an influential voice addressing matters related to Jerusalem and its holy places through regular sermons and public statements. His latest appeal echoes similar calls issued around previous anniversaries by Palestinian factions and religious figures who have encouraged sustained presence at Al-Aqsa to reinforce its character. A separate announcement from the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation released in the days leading up to the date reiterated the centrality of Jerusalem and the necessity of preserving its holy sites.
Regional attention to these issues has remained elevated through multiple channels in recent years with statements from bodies such as the Arab League and individual governments frequently referencing the site’s importance. Figures compiled by various observers have shown fluctuations in the volume of visits and associated incidents though methodologies differ among the reporting entities. The preacher’s message on August 23 underscored the importance of continued collective awareness and presence at the mosque.
