JERUSALEM, Monday, April 01, 2019 (WAFA) – Israeli police detained this morning an employee of the Muslim Waqf department, which is in charge of Muslim property in Jerusalem, because he opened the door to Bab al-Rahma prayer area within Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem’s Old City, said Waqf officials.

They said police detained Mahmoud Najib, who works in keeping law and order within the holy compound, after opening the door to the prayer area.

Najib is one of dozens of Waqf employees Israeli police has detained in recent weeks then barred them from entering Al-Aqsa compound where they work for days and weeks at a time in an attempt to crack down on efforts by Muslims to keep Bab al-Rahma prayer area open for Muslim worship around the clock.

Palestinians accuse Israel of attempting to turn Bab al-Rahma into a Jewish prayer site, which they insist violates the status quo at the walled Mosque in its entire 144-dunum area as a Muslim-only worship place.

M.K.