More than of 20 thousand Palestinian child of occupied territories-1948 have participated in the 8th festival of Al-Aqsa Child Fund and the Al-Aqsa foundation for heritage and endowment to express steadfastness in defending the Holy Mosque of Al-Aqsa.

The green caps of Palestinian children covered the open yards of the Al_Aqsa Mosque, while thousands of participants arrived from different Palestinian cities and villages of 48-lands to participate in this festival.

The festival events were carried out in spite of the burning heat of the sun, as thousands of attendants crowded in front of the festival’s podium to listen for a number of speeches about the Islamic identity of Al-Aqsa and the necessity of defending it against the malicious Israeli schemes.

The leaders of the Islamic movement of Palestine-48 attended the festival, namely Sheikh Kamal Al-Khateeb, the deputy president of the Islamic movement , who emphasized the paramount importance of the Palestinian children’s role and their families in defending Al-Aqsa Mosque.

A Palestinian child from Al-Quds (Jerusalem), Mohammd Alaa Shantoor delivered a speech to welcome the attendance and addressed a number of messages , while underscoring the necessity of defending Al-Aqsa.

The first message was addressed to Sheikh Ra’ed Salah , who scarified all his time for defending Al-Aqsa Mosque and it reads “ Our Sheikh no one can deport you from Al-Aqsa , because its in your heart , and you are in our hearts, and we are following your steps to protect this mosque”.

The second message was addressed to the Palestinian mothers to breastfeed their children the love of Al-Aqsa and to devote them for its liberation , a third message was sent to the West Bank and besieged Gaza citizens calling them to steadfastness and unity .

The fourth message was sent to the Muslim world calling for the liberation of Al-Aqsa which reflects the hub of our belief.

The festival message to the Israeli occupation reaffirmed that the Al-Aqsa is a red line , and children of Palestine will never allow its closure , its desecration, or its demolishing.

The sixth message the children of Al-Aqsa urging them to preserve the religion of Islam, seeking knowledge, praying at Al-Aqsa Mosque , reading the Qur’an , and memorizing it.

Nasser Ighbariah , the director of Al-Aqsa Flags Institution ( Al-Baiareq ) said “ We are sharing the happiness of our children , the champions of this festival, whether from Al-Quds , or from other cities ..as well as welcoming their parents who came to attend this festival.”

He pointed to the Israeli blockade imposed on the Al-Aqsa Mosque from all sides, on the ground and under with the Israeli excavations that are threatening its walls and buildings, while preventing the believers from reaching or entering it for praying.

He also explained that the number of participants this year has reached 20 thousand and that the money collected amounted to more than half million dollars, as those children wanted to play their role in supporting Al-Aqsa Mosque.

It is worth to mention that the festival of the Child Fund is a yearly festival during which the Palestinian children donate their moneyboxes with the aim of supporting the Al-Aqsa Mosque and keep in direct relation with it to confront the vicious Israeli schemes.

Ab.