Religious, not political leaders guided Jerusalem through Aqsa crisis

Respected religious authorities dominated the protest movement and did much of the organizing during the past few weeks of crisis at Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.
Sheikh Mohammad Hussein, the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, is carried by Palestinians upon their entry into the compound known to Muslims as Noble Sanctuary and to Jews as Temple Mount after Israel removed all security measures it had installed at the compound, in Jerusalem's Old City July 27, 2017. REUTERS/Muammar Awad - RTX3D5A8
Sheikh Muhammad Hussein, the grand mufti of Jerusalem, is carried by Palestinians upon their entry into Al-Aqsa, a compound known to to Jews as the Temple Mount, after Israel removed the new security measures it had installed at the compound, Jerusalem's Old City, July 27, 2017. - REUTERS/Muammar Awad
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Ahmad Melhem
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RAMALLAH, West Bank — When Al-Aqsa Mosque was closed from July 14 until July 27 amid protests against Israel installing metal detectors and security cameras at the Lion’s Gate and several entrances, one group emerged to lead the demonstrations and organize prayers in nearby streets and squares.

Israel tightened security measures at Al-Aqsa following an armed clash inside the mosque on July 14 between three Palestinian youths and Israeli police, resulting in the death of all three along with two Israeli policemen.

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