Haniyeh and Zahhar Discredit Reports of a Hamas Split by Performing Prayer Together

17 September 2007

Gaza – Ma'an – Contrary to media reports about a high-level split in the Hamas movement, de facto Prime Minister in Gaza Ismail Haniyeh and former Foreign Minister Mahmoud Zahhar performed evening prayers together at the Ash-Shati Mosque in Gaza City on Sunday.

At the opening of the ceremony, Haniyeh requested Zahhar perform the function Imam during the first prayer, the Isha', and then Zahhar asked Haniyeh to be Iman for the next prayer, the Taraweeh, on the holy occasion of Ramadan.

There have been recent reports in the media of disputes between the two leaders, and the public appearance was an attempt to refute these claims and reassure Hamas supporters.