[05/March/2010]

Occupied Jerusalem, March 05 (Saba) - The Israeli occupation police on Friday raided Al-Aqsa Mosque compound - one of Islam's holiest sites following the main weekly prayers for the second raid in a week, according to Qatar News Agency (QNA).

Last storm happened on past Sunday morning, where dozens of Palestinian worshippers spent the night, fearing a settler take-over during the Jewish holiday of Purim.

Al-Aqsa Mosque is the Muslims' first Qiblah /direction Muslims take during prayers/ and the third holiest shrine after Al Ka'bah in Makkah and Prophet Muhammad's Mosque in Madinah, Saudi Arabia.

Its significance has been reinforced by the incident of Al Isra'a and Al Mi'raj the night journey from Makkah to Al-Quds and the ascent to the Heavens by Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him.)

Israeli police fired tear-gas canisters and stun grenades to disperse the demonstrators. Some injuries were also reported at the site.

In last September, Palestinian leaders had issued dire warnings after police attacks on Palestinian protesters at al-Aqsa mosque in Quds' Old City, over attempts by Jewish religious activists to raid the holy site.

A visit to the al-Aqsa mosque compound in 2000 by Ariel Sharon, then an Israeli opposition leader and later prime minister, ignited deadly clashes that escalated into the popular Palestinian uprising known as al-Aqsa Intifada.(

Saba