RAMALLAH, West Financial institution — On the night of March 10, Israeli troopers prevented Issam Abu Yaacoub, mayor of Kifl Haris, a village situated in Salfit governorate within the northern West Financial institution, from accessing his village by means of the principle road and demanded he take a bypass highway as a result of the settlers had raided the village.
Every time the settlers raid the village, the Israeli military imposes a complete curfew and deploys numerous troopers and automobiles in preparation for the entry of settlers that lasts till daybreak.
Kifl Haris has 4,500 residents and stretches over a floor space of about 10,000 dunams (2,471 acres). It accommodates three distinguished Muslim shrines, particularly the shrine of Prophet Dhu al-Kifl, the shrine of Yusha ibn Nun and the shrine of Dhul-Nun (Prophet Jonah). The three shrines date again to the interval of Salahuddin al-Ayoubi and are characterised by the Islamic architectural type of the domes and prayer niches.
Abu Yaacoub instructed Al-Monitor that the settlers, underneath the safety of the Israeli military, have raided the village for years; each time they accomplish that, the troopers are deployed within the streets and on the roofs of homes to guard the settlers.
He famous that in the latest raid, on March 10, the settlers threw stones at homes in addition to automobiles parked on the aspect of the roads. Additionally they punctured automotive tires, broke water meters and broken gravestones, overturned rubbish containers within the streets and broke the memorial of Ibrahim Abu Yaqoub, a village resident who was killed by the Israeli military in July 2020 as he was strolling along with his associates at the doorway of the village.
Abu Yaacoub famous that an Israeli patrol is stationed each 20 meters (66 toes) alongside the 1-kilometer-long (0.6-mile) highway stretching from the principle entrance to the village as much as the shrines. Such measures stay in place till daybreak, he stated, including that settlers raid the village whereas dancing and screaming over their loudspeakers within the streets, stopping the residents from sleeping.
The shrine of Prophet Dhu al-Kifl is probably the most distinguished one within the village. In line with widespread narratives, Kifl’s grave lies within the village that is called after him. The municipality’s director normal, Abdel Rahim Omar, instructed Al-Monitor that Kifl’s shrine consists of two adjoining rooms. The primary is surrounded by a small yard and a door resulting in the prophet’s headstone, and the second consists of an Islamic architectural type dome serving as a prayer corridor. There may be an inscription on its door indicating that it was in-built 1234, together with a Quranic verse, he added.
Omar stated at particular instances the shrine welcomes guests to carry out prayers and honor vows.
The shrine of Yusha ibn Nun, situated within the middle of the village, is probably the most visited by the settlers, in accordance with Omar. He defined that the shrine is initially a Muslim shrine that was constructed in the course of the Salahuddin al-Ayoubi interval, and that the architectural type of its domes and prayer niches are proof of that.
Omar famous that historic data was engraved on an alabaster stone positioned on the shrine, similar to its building date, in addition to the Throne Verse. However, he stated, a collaborator who spied for Israel stole the stone within the Nineteen Fifties.
As for the shrine of Prophet Jonah, it consists of a big open house tomb shrine. In line with widespread narratives, it’s the grave of Prophet Jonah, which consists of a yard and prayer room the place the feminine residents of the village pray, particularly in Ramadan.
Montaser Moussa, director of the tourism and antiquities division within the Salfit governorate, instructed Al-Monitor that the settlers raid the Muslim shrines within the village underneath the pretext that the physique of Joshua is present in a cave underneath the shrine of Yusha ibn Nun. They’re utilizing biblical tales to put claims, he stated.
He famous that these shrines date again to the Ayyubid dynasty, following Saladin’s victory over the Crusaders and the liberation of Jerusalem. They have been constructed for the celebration of victories, and efficiency of prayers and Sufi rituals.
Atef Youssef, assistant undersecretary of the Palestinian Ministry of Islamic Endowments, instructed Al-Monitor that the shrines’ domes are constructed in accordance with the Islamic architectural type and the prayer niches face towards Mecca.
Youssef added, “The Jews don’t have anything to do with these shrines. Their claims are false allegations.”
Commenting on the presence of tombs within the shrines, he stated, “The one factor confirmed is the place the tomb of the Prophet Muhammad is. There are a number of claims in regard to the place the tomb of Prophet Jonah is. Its location is unconfirmed. But no nation claims that the tomb of Prophet Dhu al-Kifl is situated on their land, aside from Kifl Haris.”
After Jerusalem, Salfit is the second governorate to be focused probably the most by settlers within the West Financial institution, notably within the village of Kifl Haris, the place the Israeli authorities used a big portion of the southern a part of its lands to construct the Trans-Samaria Freeway. Additionally they positioned a gate and a everlasting watchtower at its essential entrance, and expanded the Ariel settlement, which is likely one of the largest settlements within the West Financial institution, on the village’s expense.
The Palestinians imagine that the settlers’ claims to the Muslim shrines within the village intention to confiscate extra lands and annex them to different lands settlers already stole underneath varied pretexts.