Dozens of Palestinians hurt in fresh clashes at Al Aqsa site
The event brought with it a wide range of products and goods, with significant discounts of up to 75 per cent
JERUSALEM: Fresh clashes between Palestinians and Israeli police at Jerusalem’s Al Aqsa mosque compound wounded 42 people on the last Friday of Ramadan, following weeks of violence at the flashpoint religious site.
Israeli police fired rubber bullets and stun grenades towards Palestinian youths at Al Aqsa Mosque.
The Palestinian Red Crescent emergency service said more than 40 people were wounded, with 22 requiring treatment at local hospitals and no one was seriously hurt.
It said Israeli forces prevented first responders from entering the compound during the clashes, and that one of its medics was beaten by police.
Israeli police released footage that showed young men on the compound hurling stones and fireworks in Friday’s early hours. Officers entered the site at dawn.
Israeli police said they intervened when hundreds of people began hurling rocks and fireworks, including in the direction of the Western Wall.
“We will continue to act decisively against rioters and outlaws for public safety and security,” the police said in a statement.
Police said officers used “riot dispersal means” to contain the unrest and that two people had been arrested, one for throwing stones and the other one for “inciting the mob.”
An AFP journalist said Israeli police fired rubber-coated bullets while a witness said they also used tear gas.
An uneasy calm had been restored at the compound following the unrest that surrounded morning prayers, but tensions remained high.
In the early aternoon, a crowd of Muslim worshippers gathered at Al Aqsa. Some people waved Palestinian flags and the colours of the Gaza Strip-based Hamas group, an AFP journalist said.
Over the past two weeks, nearly 300 Palestinians have been hurt in clashes at the Al Aqsa compound, Islam’s third-holiest site.
CONDEMNATION: Israel’s incursions into the compound during Ramadan met widespread condemnation and raised fears of inflaming persistent Israeli-palestinian tensions across Jerusalem.
In an apparent atempt to ease tensions, Israel’s Foreign Minister Yair Lapid has stressed that the government is commited to the status quo at the compound, meaning an adherence to long-standing convention that only Muslims are allowed to pray there. Jews are allowed to visit the Temple Mount.
Muslim leaders have, however, been angered by a recent uptick in such visits. Some voiced fears that Israel was seeking to divide the compound and create a space where Jews may worship. Lapid told journalists that no such plan exists.
The fresh unrest comes as the end of Ramadan nears early next week. Violence in Israeliannexed east Jerusalem has raised fears of another armed conflict similar to an 11-day war last year between Israel and Hamas, triggered in part by similar unrest at Al Aqsa.
Hamas and Islamic Jihad leaders held a rally in Gaza late on Thursday, with calls to “defend” Jerusalem including Al Aqsa.
The Palestinians say the presence of Israeli police at the site, and regular visits by increasing numbers of nationalist and religious Jews, are a violation of decades-old informal arrangements governing the site. The visits were halted last week for the last 10 days of the Holy Month of Ramadan, which concludes this weekend.
Tens of thousands of Muslims are expected to atend the main Friday prayers at midday. Earlier this week, an estimated 250,000 worshippers gathered at the site for Laylat Al Qadr, a night of intense prayers that marks the culmination of Ramadan, with no reports of violence.
PAK SLAMS ISRAELI RAID: Pakistan strongly condemns Firday’s raid by Israeli forces on Al Aqsa mosque in the Holy Month of Ramadan, resulting in injuries to many innocent Palestinian worshippers.
It is reprehensible that nearly 300 Palestinians have been injured over the past two weeks in Israeli atacks at the Al Aqsa mosque. The indiscriminate use of force by Israeli occupation forces against defenceless Palestinians defies all humanitarian norms and human rights laws. Such atacks, in addition to causing injury to the Palestinians, violate the sanctity of Islamic holy sites.
Pakistan calls upon the international community to take urgent action to put an end to the Israeli violations, which continue to fuel violence, tension and instability in the region, and remain a mater of grave concern for the entire Muslim world.
“We reaffirm our consistent and unstinted support for the Palestinian people and the Palestinian cause, which has always been a defining principle of Pakistan’s foreign policy.
“We renew our call for a viable, independent and contiguous Palestinian State, with pre-1967 borders, and Al Quds Al Sharif as its capital being the only just, comprehensive and lasting solution of the Palestinian question, in accordance with the relevant United Nations and OIC resolutions,” the Pakistan’s foreign ministry said in a statement.
The Ramadan Nights 2022, one of the region’s major shopping events and part of the larger Sharjah Ramadan Festival, concluded on a high note ater 15 days of amazing deals, spectacular discounts of up to 75%, and wonderful heritage and family entertainment activities.
The event, organized by the Expo Centre Sharjah with the support of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), drew over 50,000 visitors before wrapping up another successful edition of the exhibition, which has become an important shopping season and one of the most prominent commercial and marketing festivals in the Emirate of Sharjah.
The Ramadan Nights, which came as a part of the 32nd Sharjah Ramadan Festival, provided shoppers with an ideal plaform to enjoy the wonderful atmosphere of Ramadan in Sharjah while also offering a distinguished shopping experience that satisfied visitors.
More than 200 exhibitors from major retailers and approximately 25 international brands atended the event. It also featured a variety of cultural programs, heritage shows, and recreational activities.
“Ramadan Nights has become one of Sharjah’s most anticipated commercial events and marketing festivals, due to its continued success, atracting a massive turnout of residents and visitors who flocked to the exhibition to experience a unique shopping journey. This has, unsurprisingly, resulted in the emirate’s economic sector being revitalized and shopping tourism being promoted,” stated Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, CEO of Expo Centre Sharjah.
He noted that the exhibition has become one of the most important and leading commercial events in which major retailers and brands are eager to participate on a regular basis, owing to its critical role in increasing exhibitors’ sales and achieving profitable returns.
Sultan Shataf, Director of Sales and Marketing Department, Expo Center Sharjah, for his part, emphasized that the exhibition was a huge success in every sense, fulfilling its promise to make special offers and organize exciting activities that atracted thousands of residents and visitors.
“In addition to incredible discounts on a wide range of products, the event provided visitors the opportunity to win a luxury Suzuki Jimny car, among other valuable prizes. Winners will be announced later during a draw to be held by the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry at the conclusion of the Sharjah Ramadan Festival,” Shataf maintained.
SHARJAH AIRPORT RECORDED FOOTFALL OF OVER 3 MILLION PASSENGERS IN Q1 2022: Over three million passengers travelled in the first quarter (Q1) of 2022 through Sharjah Airport, witnessing an increase of 119.2 percent as compared to 1.3 million passengers in the same period last year.
The aircrat movement for the same term also marked an increase in the number of flights by 89 percent with 21,336 flights, compared to 11,279 flights last year.
In terms of cargo movement, the airport recorded more than 39,566 tonnes during the first three months of this year, highlighting an increase of 26.39 percent compared to last year, with 14,457 tonnes in March alone.
Ali Salim Al Midfa, Chairman of the Sharjah International Airport Authority, said, “The ease of international travel restrictions as well as the gradual recovery from COVID-19, allowed airlines to resume their previously suspended flights, resulting in improved growth rates. This is also in line with the Sharjah Airport’s commitment to providing the highest levels of safety and security for customers during the pandemic, making traveling from and to the city of Sharjah a safe and enjoyable experience.”
“Sharjah Airport has been successful in gaining the trust of passengers due to its expansion and innovative strategies, as well as promoting its partnerships by atracting new airline and cargo companies. This approach fits with our vision of being one of the best five airports in the region, promising an exceptional travel experience and leading services,” he added.
Furthermore, the Sharjah Airport continued to provide customers with the most innovative and modern services, while ensuring their safety and security, during the first quarter of this year. In addition, the airport recently received the ‘Best Airport in the Middle East’ award in the 5 to 15 million Passenger Per Year category, as well as the Airports Council International (ACI)’S ‘Voice of the Customer’ accreditation.