25 November, 2005: West Bank and Gaza Friday Sermon

Palestine News Agency, Wafa, carries a dispatch at 1031 GMT on 25 November saying that President Mahmud Abbas performed Friday prayers at the presidential headquarters in Gaza. The Friday imam, PA Awqaf and Religious Affairs Minister Dr Yusuf Salamah, called for closing of ranks "especially in this important and serious phase through which our people are passing." He also called on them to rally around the leadership of President Abbas in the development and reconstruction process. He thanked Arabs and Muslims for their support for the Palestinian people. Shaykh Salamah emphasized "the defense of homeland and holy places by closing ranks."

According to the dispatch, the prayers were attended by Sulayman al-Shurafa, adviser to the president; Muhammad al-Qudwah, governor of Gaza; Major General Mustafa al-Buhayri, deputy head of Egyptian General Intelligence Service; and several senior civilian and military officials and figures.