Mosques, Surau In Malaysia Urged to Organise Special "Hajat" Prayers for Palestine

KUALA LUMPUR, April 6 (Bernama) -- Mosques under the supervision of the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) have been instructed to perform special ‘hajat’ prayers on Thursday seeking protection for Palestine and the well-being of its people.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar said the mosques were the National Mosque, the Putra Mosque and the Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin Mosque.

"Mosques and suraus under the administration of the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Department (JAWI) have also been asked to perform solat hajat tomorrow (Thursday)," he said in a statement Wedensday.

At least seven Palestinians were injured and hundreds arrested in an Israeli police raid on Al-Aqsa Mosque compound before dawn on Wednesday.

The Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) strongly condemns this blatant action by Israel police, he said.

In SELANGOR, all mosques and suraus in the state are reported to hold “hajat” prayers (prayer of need) after Friday prayers this week for the safety and well-being of the Palestinian people.

The state’s Chief Minister Amirudin Shari said it would be an expression of solidarity by Malaysian citizens for the people of Palestine.

He said the state government and the people of Selangor strongly condemned Israeli violence at Al-Aqsa mosque which has left at least 12 Palestinians injured and over 350 arrested on Wednesday.

"The Selangor government expresses its solidarity with the Palestinian people and invites world leaders to condemn the attack on a house of worship, an act of provocation that violates international law and human rights principles, especially in this holy month of Ramadan," he said in a statement.

Amirudin said the brutal act has been repeated frequently, especially in the month of Ramadan as happened in April last year.

-- BERNAMA