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Portrait of Raed Salah

Raed Salah

Advocate for Al-Aqsa Mosque

Born
1958
Born in
Umm al-Fahm, Palestine
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Why Raed is here

Raed Salah is renowned for his staunch defense of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, which has established him as a significant Palestinian political and religious figure. Known as "Sheikh al-Aqsa," he has been a vocal and influential leader in the Islamic Movement in Israel, particularly in the Northern Branch.

Their story

Raed Salah is a Palestinian religious leader and former mayor of Umm al-Fahm. A key figure in the Northern Branch of the Islamic Movement in the occupied Palestine, Salah is recognized for his advocacy for Palestinian rights and the protection of Islamic holy sites, particularly the Al-Aqsa Mosque. His activism has often brought him into a life-time struggle with the Israeli occupation authorities.

Milestones

The moments that shaped Raed’s path.

  1. Studied Islamic law at Hebron University from 1977 to 1980.

  2. Became the mayor of Umm al-Fahm in 1989, a position he held until 2001.

  3. Led the establishment of two new mosques on the Temple Mount in 1996 and 1998.

  4. Was barred from traveling abroad by the Israeli Interior Ministry in 2002.

  5. Participated in the Freedom Flotilla to Gaza in 2010 and was injured during an assault by the Israeli occupation soldiers.

Legacy

What they built, changed and left behind.

  1. A key figure in preserving the Islamic heritage of Jerusalem.

  2. Organized major campaigns against Israeli policies in Jerusalem.

  3. Advocated for the right of return of Palestinian refugees and their descendants.

  4. Led protests against the Israeli occupation and its violations.

  5. Spearheaded social, humanitarian, and educational projects in Palestine.

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