Editorial Note: The following news reports are summaries from original sources. They may also include corrections of Arabic names and political terminology. Comments are in parentheses.

 

Shaikh Yousuf Al-Qaradhawi and Bahraini Speaker of Parliament, Shaikh Khalifa Al-Dahrani, Arrive in Gaza

Ismail Haniyya welcomes Shaikh Khalifa Al-Dahrani, in Gaza, May 9, 2013.	Ismail Haniyya welcomes Shaikh Yousuf Al-Qaradhawi, in Gaza, May 9, 2013.	Ismail Haniyya grants Shaikh Yousuf Al-Qaradhawi a Palestinian passport, in Gaza, May 9, 2013.

Shaikh Yousuf Al-Qaradhawi receives rapturous welcome reception in Gaza

[ 09/05/2013 - 11:33 AM ]

GAZA, (PIC)--

Shaikh Yousuf Al-Qaradhawi, head of the international union for Muslim scholars, was enthusiastically received by Palestinian officials and massive crowds of citizens upon his arrival on Wednesday evening in the Gaza Strip.

The Palestinian premier Ismail Haniyya, deputy speaker of the Palestinian parliament Ahmed Baher and a number of officials and dignitaries participated in the reception.

Following the arrival of Sheikh Qaradhawi and his accompanying delegation, premier Haniyya held a news conference at Rafah border area and gave a welcome speech praising Sheikh Qaradhawi and his stature in the hearts of the Palestinians.

For his part, Sheikh Yousuf Al-Qardhawi stated that his visit to Gaza is intended to renew his oath of allegiance to Palestine and its people.

"We now start our visit once again to Gaza which we could not visit for long years and meet with the people we love to renew our vows together to liberate Palestine," Sheikh Qaradhawi said.

"We are with you and we will celebrate the victory together if I stay alive, but if it is God's will that I do not live [to witness liberation], you and the future generations would celebrate this victory which is inevitable, God willing," he added.

A few hours before his visit, the Hamas Movement welcomed the visit of Sheikh Yousuf Al-Qaradawi and his fellow religious figures to Gaza and described it as an important moment in the Palestinian history.

Its spokesman Sami Abu Zhuri stated that "Gaza would give Shaikh Qaradhawi a majestic reception befitting conquerors."

In this regard, Palestinian political analyst and writer Hosam Al-Dagni stated that Sheikh Qaradhawi is an influential religious icon in the middle east and his visit would be of great importance for the Palestinian people.

Dagni told the Palestinian information center (PIC) the honorable positions of Sheikh Qaradhawi in support of the Palestinian people and their democratic choice give this visit special importance.

Haniyya grants passport to influential cleric in Gaza visit Published today

(updated) 09/05/2013 16:35 GAZA CITY (Ma’an) --

The prime minister of the Hamas-run government in the Gaza Strip granted influential Muslim cleric Yousuf al-Qardhawi Palestinian nationality and a diplomatic passport on Wednesday.

Al-Qaradhawi led a delegation of 50 clerics from 14 countries and was greeted by Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyya.

Haniyya, in a welcome address, said it was "an honor for us to receive the sheikh of the Arab Spring on the soil of Palestine."

The cleric said his delegation represented all Islamic parties in the region, and they came to support the people of Gaza.

"This land has never once been Jewish land. Palestine is for the Arab Islamic nation," al-Qaradhawi said. “Palestine is an Arab and Muslim country despite all Israeli attempts.”

He added: “People of Gaza, you will achieve victory, and you will get all your rights.”

Ahead of the cleric's arrival, the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority said such visits were "harmful" to the Palestinian people.

"The Palestinian Authority's position has been clear; each visit of political significance which gives legitimacy to Hamas' rule in Gaza is harmful to the Palestinian people and their interests," PA minister of endowment Mahmoud al-Habbash said.

"Al-Qaradhawi should have taken back the Fatwa he issued considering visits to Jerusalem by Muslims illegal according to the Islamic law because the holy city is under occupation," al-Habbash told Ma'an.

Haniyya: The Palestinian people will not give up one inch of their land

[ 09/05/2013 - 11:18 AM ]

GAZA, (PIC)--

Palestinian premier Ismail Haniyya said that the Palestinian people would never give up an inch of the Palestinian land or waive one of their national rights, including the right of return and the liberation of the prisoners.

Haniyya made his remarks during his meeting on Wednesday with a Bahraini parliamentary delegation led by Speaker of Parliament, Khalifa Al-Dahrani, in Gaza city.

Haniyya also stressed that the Palestinian people insist on liberating Palestine from the occupation and establishing their state with Jerusalem as its capital.

The premier expressed his happiness for the visit of the Bahraini lawmakers and described it as historical in every sense of the word.

He said that such solidarity visits always prove that the Palestinian people are not alone in the face of the Israeli injustice and aggression, and reflect the unity of the Arab nation.

"We are in the vanguard defending the land and the nation, and we hope we can live up to the nation's expectations. Despite the significant difference in the balance of power, we were able to achieve victories over the enemy," the premier stated.

For his part, speaker Khalifa Al-Dahrani hailed the steadfastness and determination of the Palestinian people in Gaza, and expressed hope to see all the Palestinian national aspirations come true.

He also promised that the Bahraini parliament would be a messenger for the Palestinian people and their national cause to the world's parliaments.

Bahraini parliament speaker arrives in Gaza

[ 08/05/2013 - 09:35 PM ]

GAZA, (PIC)--

Bahraini Parliament Speaker Shaikh Khalifa Al-Dahrani arrived in Gaza Strip at noon Wednesday leading a parliament delegation on the first such visit by a Gulf official team to the coastal enclave.

Dahrani arrived in Gaza at the head of a 13-member delegation at the invitation of the Palestinian legislative council extended during a visit to Manama in April 2012.

Dr. Ahmed Bahar, who led the reception team at Rafah border terminal, told a press conference that the visit broke the political siege on Gaza and was meant to display support for the Palestine cause.

He pointed out that the visit coincided with the growing Israeli aggression on Jerusalem and holy shrines.

For his part, Dahrani emphasized the Bahraini Kingdom’s unwavering support for the Palestinian people.

He said that Manama would continue to establish projects and extend donations and would back the Palestinian issue at international platforms.

The Bahraini delegates, who are to stay in Gaza until 11th May, would meet officials of the Gaza government and parliament and would visit a number of public and private institutions.