Wifaqul Ulama Public Affairs (Department)
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh (Peace, Blessings & Mercy of Allah be upon You).
This statement is being issued on the 15th of July 2017 and supersedes all previous statements on the subject. We wholeheartedly agree with the sentiments of Shaykh Suliman Gani!
Dear fellow Ulama of Islam,
I write to you with great anguish as I bring you the very sad and tragic news that Masjid Al-Aqsa has been closed and everyone is being denied access. Not even the Muadhinoon (those who call the prayers) let alone the Imams (those lead the prayers) are allowed. There were no Friday prayers in the 3rd Holiest Mosque of Islam, yesterday. Not even the (Muslim) security guards are allowed inside Masjid Al-Aqsa.
My beloved Scholars, I call upon you to address the matter from the Mosques, the pulpits, and from your places of teaching. The Muslims of Britain await you to inform them and to advise them on the actions that must be taken.
My beloved Scholars, if this distressing news was about Haramain (in Hijaaz) how would you react? Would you not be addressing it most diligently in your Friday talks, exhorting the (Muslim) community to engage in prayers, Qunut and advising them to spend their wealth in Sadaqah. Will you not be advising the (Muslim) community to turn to Allah Ta’ala and beg for His Mercy?
I did not hear Ulama from the pulpits in the British Mosques informing their congregations about Palestine and Masjid Al-Aqsa. I did not hear them exhorting the (Muslim) community to visit Palestine to show solidarity with the oppressed. Above all, I do not hear them continuously and rigorously educate the (Muslim) community about the status and rank of Masjid Al-Aqsa, being the third highest Mosque in Islam. You are my elders so I turn to you in my distress. I reflect upon myself and admit that I am failing in my duty towards fellow British Muslims. In my limited capacity, I call upon all of you to come together and provide guidance to the British Muslims about Palestine and Masjid Al-Aqsa. This calamity is much bigger and more important than differences of opinions.
I request Wifaqul Ulama to make my plea public, and call an urgent meeting on the subject. I implore all my fellow scholars to put aside their differences and come together on the issue of Masjid Al-Aqsa. I sincerely hope you all will give me hope and guide me on how to best to educate those who look towards me for guidance (as a Scholar).
To you O Muslim! I am human and I forget. I urge you to remind me that you are keen to know about the plight of the Palestinians. Remind me that you are keen to engage in Qunut for the safety, security and sanctity of Masjid Al-Aqsa. I am your brother, I depend upon you. I need your advice on how to best to discharge my obligations (as a Scholar). I need your feedback, I need you to tell me about my failings and my shortcomings. I DO NOT want to stand in front of Allah Ta’ala having failed in my duties. I urge you to help me.
Suliman Gani
15th of July 2017
P.S: It is 13:30 in Britain and I have just been informed from the locals that Israeli Soldiers have entered and are now in every part of Masjid Al-Aqsa.
