Date: 08 / 11 / 2008  Time:  16:45
Hebron – Ma’an –

As part of the week-long activities of the National Campaign to Lift the Siege in Hebron, Russian Mufti Shaikh Othman Ishaq along with a delegation of Russian officials joined a sit-in in central Hebron protesting the occupation of the city by Israeli forces and settlers.

Joining the Russian delegation were Palestinian high court judge Sheikh Taysir Al-Tamimi, Head of the construction committee in Hebron Dr Ali Al-Qawasmi the and Coordinator for the National Campaign in Hebron Dr Khaled Al-Qawasmi.

During the sit-in Shaikh Al-Tamimi spoke to the protesters of the historical and religious importance of the Ibrihimi Mosque, affirming that for Muslims it was one of the most important sites in the world. He stressed that Hebron is an Arab and Islamic city and their population are keen on protecting its residents from Israeli attacks and the lands from being confiscated.

He also talked about the ethnic cleansing that the old city of Hebron has faced and how they are exposed to daily harassment by settlers and Israeli troops.

For his part the Russian Mufti spoke words of encouragement to Palestinian Muslims and sent regards from Russia.

“We kept dreaming that one day we will visit Palestine and to pray in the Al-Aqsa and the Ibrahimi Mosque and yesterday we prayed in Al-Aqsa and today we will pray in the Ibrahimi,” he said. Sheikh Othman Ishaq promised to relate all of his experiences in Palestine and particularly in Hebron to the people in Russia, who would continue to stand by Palestinians in their time of need.

After his tour of the city the Russian Mufti expressed his deep grief over the living conditions of Palestinians and Muslims. ”What is going on in Hebron,” he said “is harmful to all and to us too.”