Al-Aqsa preacher says opening of embassies in Jerusalem will not change its Palestinian status

The head of the Higher Islamic Council in Jerusalem and preacher of Aqsa Mosque, Sheikh Ekrima Sabri, said on Tuesday that Jerusalem “was, is and will remain Palestinian,” stressing that opening embassies in the city would not change its status. 

His remarks came in a statement following the opening of an embassy for the self-declared Somaliland region in occupied Jerusalem on Monday, attended by Somaliland leader Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi and Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar.

Sabri said that any political or diplomatic steps related to the holy city would not grant legitimacy to the Israeli occupation or alter its historical and national identity.

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He also urged unity among Islamic and Arab nations, describing it as essential to facing current challenges.

Sabri condemned separatist moves in Somalia, saying they contradict the principles of unity promoted by Islam and go against Arab and Islamic values based on cohesion and solidarity.

He further said that any alliance or rapprochement with the Israeli occupation, including steps such as opening embassies or diplomatic missions in occupied Jerusalem, does not change the reality of the city, its historical status, or its national identity, nor does it grant legitimacy to the occupation.

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