http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1188392533502&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FPrinter
Hamas bans public prayer in Gaza Strip
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Associated Press , THE JERUSALEM POST Sep. 4, 2007
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The Hamas on Tuesday banned public prayers in the Gaza Strip, moving to halt
growing dissent by supporters of the rival Fatah movement.
Fatah supporters have held public prayers over the past two weeks in downtown
Gaza City that have quickly turned into violent demonstrations against Hamas's
rule in Gaza. The demonstrations occurred on Fridays, when Muslims
traditionally gather for prayers.
"The government decided to ban any gathering under the pretext of performing
Friday prayers," Hamas announced. "They went beyond the aim of prayers and they
were used for the purpose of chaos, strife, rioting, and practicing terrorism.
The government will take all necessary measures to support security and public
order in Gaza."
After weeks of silence, Fatah sympathizers have become increasingly bold in
expressing displeasure with Hamas rule.
In the first public prayer session last month, Fatah worshippers marched to
Hamas security compounds and threw stones, prompting security men to fire in
the air to disperse the crowd.
Last week, Hamas forces beat and detained dozens of Fatah members. Hamas said
it continues to hold about 60 "subverters," many of whom have been unable to
post the $250 bail.
Ahead of the ban, the Muslim Scholars League, a group of local mosque leaders,
issued a religious edict in support of halting the outdoor prayers. Marwan Abu
Rass, the league's chairman, said the outdoor prayers were taboo because they
were being held for political reasons, not religious necessity.
Fatah leaders say they have been forced to hold the public prayers in downtown
Gaza City because they no longer feel welcome in Gaza's mosques.
Jamila Saidom, a senior Fatah member in Gaza, called the ban an "escalation"
meant to halt opposition. "This is a pretext to give anyone who goes out to
pray a hard time," she said.
In a separate challenge to Hamas, Gaza's 900-member firefighting force began an
open-ended strike on Tuesday.
Saker Mujahed, commander of the Civil Defense Force, ordered his men to stop
work early Tuesday, claiming Hamas has taken over its buildings and equipment.
Mujahed, a Fatah supporter, issued the order from his West Bank headquarters.
Hamas officials condemned the strike, saying it endangered public safety.
"The aim of this move is to destroy and burn Gaza," said Ihab al-Ghusain, a
Hamas security spokesman. He said his forces stepped in to fill the place of
striking workers.
Also Tuesday, a previously unknown group apparently affiliated with Fatah
claimed responsibility for the bombing of a car of a Hamas activist and four
other blasts that have targeted the Islamic group this week. The bombings,
which caused no injuries, appeared to be a new tactic in Fatah-Hamas tensions
in Gaza.
A statement posted on the independent Gaza-based Ramattan news Web site said
the explosion, and four other blasts this week, were retaliation for "Hamas
crimes."
It was signed "The Brigades of Martyrs of Security Agencies" apparently in
reference to members of the Fatah-affiliated security forces who were killed
when Hamas wrested control of Gaza.
Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum blamed the West-Bank-based Fatah leadership for
the blasts.
Meanwhile, deposed Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh called for international
mediation to restore relations with Fatah.
"We ... welcome any Arab, Islamic and international mediation to patch the rift
between the Palestinians," he said after the weekly meeting of his deposed
government.
Abbas has rejected dialogue with Hamas until it relinquishes control of Gaza.
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