Zionist Police Harass Dawn Worshippers at al-Aqsa Mosque

August 10, 1999 - 0:0
ATHENS -- Zionist police stationed outside the al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied al-Qods (Jerusalem) routinely harass Palestinian worshippers heading to the Muslim sanctuary for the dawn prayer, said a report from al-Qods. The report said Zionist harassment of the Muslim worshippers take various forms, including brief detention, frisking, prolonged identity Examination as well as beating. Moreover, Palestinian worshippers parking their cars outside the Haram al Sharif are often served expensive fine tickets.

The Palestinian daily, Al Quds, reported Monday that Israeli border policemen, reputed for their savagery and provocative behavior, often order Palestinian worshippers, especially the bearded ones, to stand for two hours until after sunrise. The paper quoted Muslim officials as saying the harassment reflected Zionist ''inconvenience at the influx of Muslim worshippers especially at dawn times.'' Israeli authorities and Jewish religious groups refer to the al-Aqsa Mosque and the Haram al Sharif plaza as ''temple mount,'' and are waiting for the opportune time to destroy Islamic holy shrines at the site in order to build a Jewish temple thereat.

(IRNA)