Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh (left) holds the hand of Egyptian cleric and Chairman of the International Union of Muslim Scholars Sheikh Yousuf Al Qaradawi on his arrival at Rafah crossing in the southern Gaza Strip yesterday. The cleric arrived for a three-day visit to the Gaza Strip with a delegation of Muslim scholars.
DOHA: Noted Qatar-based Islamic scholar Dr Yousuf Al Qaradawi yesterday started his first visit to the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip, crossing into the Palestinian territory at Rafah, on the border with Egypt.
Al Qaradawi, who is president of the International Union of Muslim Scholars is heading a 39 member delegation comprising prominent personalities from 14 countries.
This is his first visit to Gaza since 1958 after a gap of 55 years, according to reports appearing in the Arabic media.
Speaking after his arrival at the Al Areesh airport near the Egyptian-Palestinian border yesterday, Al Qaradawi said:
“Gaza is close to my heart and I consider it as the land of dignity. Nobody can prevent me from entering Gaza. My visit has many meanings. It is intended to break the continuing Israeli siege on Gaza.”
The delegation is expected to meet Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyah and visit the house of late Sheikh Ahmed Yaseen, the founder of Hamas.
