Muslim clerics leave Gaza

A delegation of world Muslim scholars, led by influential Muslim cleric Dr. Yusuf al-Qaradawi, has left here, ending a three-day visit to the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip. The delegation, who arrived here on May 8 via Egypt's Rafah crossing, comprised clerics from Arab, Muslim and foreign countries. They were seen off by Gaza Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh and several other members of the dismissed Hamas government. Delivering a sermon during the weekly Friday prayers in Gaza, al-Qaradawi said he was so happy to visit the Palestinian enclave. He urged Gazans to be more patient, keep on resistance against Israeli occupying authorities and to rebuild their territory. Before leaving here, the delegation visited the home of Hamas cleric Ahmed Yassin, who was assassinated in a 2004 Israeli airstrike.