Once again in the holy month of Ramadhan, we are shocked and saddened by the reports of Israel’s violent attacks on worshippers in Masjid Al Aqsa, the third holiest site for Muslims.

Videos circulating online show police firing tear gas, stun grenades, rubber bullets and Palestinians throwing stones in defence. A shocking flashback to similar incidents in Ramadan in 2019 and 2021.

Other videos show worshippers barricading themselves inside the mosque, an old man putting a chair over his head as protection and a woman being hit repeatedly by an Israeli soldier as she attempts to run from the masjid.

More than 300 Palestinians were detained on Friday, with the figure of Palestinians injured in the incidents rising to at least 158.

Palestinians are continuously facing extreme forces of brutality. What is worrying is the normalisation of such attacks on worshipers in one of the holiest of sites and in one of the holiest of Islamic months.

The UK government and public have stood firm in condemning the invasion of Ukraine and the Russian war. We now urge our UK government, democratic civic institutions and all conscientious citizens to stand in solidarity with Palestinian civilians, as they did for the Ukrainians, regardless of colour and race.

We call on the UK government to:

1) condemn the attacks and request an immediate end to attacks on civilians and religious sites.

2) Use their diplomatic ties to pressure the Israeli govt Israel to adhere to international law and human rights, including the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2334.

3) Impose an arms embargo on the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) to prevent further casualties.

The prophet peace be upon him, said, “Avoid cruelty and injustice, and guard yourselves against miserliness, for this has ruined nations who lived before you.”

Green Lane Masjid & Community Centre For any press queries. please contact Haniya@greenlanemasjid.org

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Green Lane Masjid and Community Centre is a leading UK mosque situated in the heart of Birmingham serving the community since 1979. Operating from its award-winning grade II listed Victorian building, GLMCC fulfills its mission of inspiring, educating and serving through its educational college, outreach work, welfare services, international humanitarian wing, as well as its fully functional mosque which is attended by thousands every week.

Recognised internationally, GLMCC is a multi-award-winning mosque, having won the 2019 British Muslim Award for Mosque of the Year and the Beacon Awards for ‘Best Run Mosque 2019 and ‘Best Covid Response 2020’.

For more information about or work and services visit: www.greenlanemasjid.org

Or access our annual report at: https://greenlanemasjid.org/about/annual-reports/