17 apr 2015
Over 100 Palestinians from Gaza prayed at the Al-Aqsa Mosque on Friday after leaving the coastal territory via the Erez crossing.
Palestinian liaison officials told Ma'an that 190 Palestinians left Gaza for the weekly visit, which had been suspended over the past two weeks due to Jewish holidays.
On Oct. 5, some 500 Palestinians in Gaza prayed at the mosque for the first time since 2007, having been prevented by Israel from traveling to Jerusalem since that time.
The decision to allow Gazans to travel to al-Aqsa was reached part of the ceasefire deal between Palestinian militant groups and Israel that ended the more than 50-day war over summer in which Israeli bombardment killed more than 2,200 Gazans.
Palestinian liaison officials told Ma'an that 190 Palestinians left Gaza for the weekly visit, which had been suspended over the past two weeks due to Jewish holidays.
On Oct. 5, some 500 Palestinians in Gaza prayed at the mosque for the first time since 2007, having been prevented by Israel from traveling to Jerusalem since that time.
The decision to allow Gazans to travel to al-Aqsa was reached part of the ceasefire deal between Palestinian militant groups and Israel that ended the more than 50-day war over summer in which Israeli bombardment killed more than 2,200 Gazans.
The Jordanian ministry of foreign affairs said that its government is committed to fulfilling its responsibilities towards the Aqsa Mosque.
Spokesman for the ministry Sabah al-Rafei said that the government continues to carry out construction and restoration projects at the Aqsa Mosque, which comes in the context of the Hashemite custodianship of the holy Mosque.
She added that the last of these projects was providing the Marwani Mosque with a new carpet donated by His Majesty.
Rafei made his remarks in response to statements by the Israeli minister of construction and housing, in which he threatened to prevent the Awqaf Department from carrying out maintenance works at the holy shrine.
"The Jordanian Government, and through diplomatic channels, has protested the remarks of the minister," the official said, adding that the Israeli government affirmed that such statements do not represent its position.
The Israeli government, she noted, has reiterated its respect of the Hashemite custodianship of the holy places in east Jerusalem, in accordance with the peace treaty.
Spokesman for the ministry Sabah al-Rafei said that the government continues to carry out construction and restoration projects at the Aqsa Mosque, which comes in the context of the Hashemite custodianship of the holy Mosque.
She added that the last of these projects was providing the Marwani Mosque with a new carpet donated by His Majesty.
Rafei made his remarks in response to statements by the Israeli minister of construction and housing, in which he threatened to prevent the Awqaf Department from carrying out maintenance works at the holy shrine.
"The Jordanian Government, and through diplomatic channels, has protested the remarks of the minister," the official said, adding that the Israeli government affirmed that such statements do not represent its position.
The Israeli government, she noted, has reiterated its respect of the Hashemite custodianship of the holy places in east Jerusalem, in accordance with the peace treaty.
16 apr 2015
Israeli Municipality of Jerusalem is about to implement a new Judaization project of a huge underground building in front of Damascus Gate in Occupied Jerusalem.
The Expert of settlement in Jerusalem Ahmad Sub Laban said, in a statement on Thursday, the Israeli project will be a huge underground parking for cars and buses. It will be located directly in front of the Damascus Gate.
The statement added that it has been revealed that the project will be the same parking called “Mesrara” which has recently been evacuated along with Damascus gate’s parking.
Above the new parking, a new big municipality courtyard will be established to replace the old one in the Damascus Gate. A bridge is also going to be built over the new project, the statement added.
The Israeli occupation authority continues its Judaization projects and plans to change the historical Islamic and Arab landmarks especially in the Old City of Jerusalem.
The Expert of settlement in Jerusalem Ahmad Sub Laban said, in a statement on Thursday, the Israeli project will be a huge underground parking for cars and buses. It will be located directly in front of the Damascus Gate.
The statement added that it has been revealed that the project will be the same parking called “Mesrara” which has recently been evacuated along with Damascus gate’s parking.
Above the new parking, a new big municipality courtyard will be established to replace the old one in the Damascus Gate. A bridge is also going to be built over the new project, the statement added.
The Israeli occupation authority continues its Judaization projects and plans to change the historical Islamic and Arab landmarks especially in the Old City of Jerusalem.
The Israeli high court on Thursday issued an order allowing the execution of the absentee property law in the Arab neighborhoods of east Jerusalem.
According to the court verdict, the state should confiscate Palestinian property in Jerusalem belonging Arabs only under extreme conditions and only with the permission of the state comptroller.
The court made its decision following a series of appeals that have been filed by Palestinian residents and human rights groups against the confiscation of their homes and property in the holy city.
The decision is considered part of Israeli steps aimed at Judaizing the Arab neighborhoods of Jerusalem.
The Absentee property law (1950) is one of Israel’s major legal instruments for seizing Palestinian property.
The law has served to confiscate the land and real estate left behind by the Palestinians who were forcibly displaced in 1948. It is still in effect and used to confiscate Palestinian properties more than six decades later.
The law violates international law and has been strongly condemned by the UN.
According to the court verdict, the state should confiscate Palestinian property in Jerusalem belonging Arabs only under extreme conditions and only with the permission of the state comptroller.
The court made its decision following a series of appeals that have been filed by Palestinian residents and human rights groups against the confiscation of their homes and property in the holy city.
The decision is considered part of Israeli steps aimed at Judaizing the Arab neighborhoods of Jerusalem.
The Absentee property law (1950) is one of Israel’s major legal instruments for seizing Palestinian property.
The law has served to confiscate the land and real estate left behind by the Palestinians who were forcibly displaced in 1948. It is still in effect and used to confiscate Palestinian properties more than six decades later.
The law violates international law and has been strongly condemned by the UN.
15 apr 2015
Director General of Jerusalem Endowments and Al-Aqsa Mosque Affairs Sheikh Azzam al-Khatib denounced the statements of Israeli Housing Minister Uri Ariel demanding a halt to the renovation of the Aqsa Mosque.
Sheikh Khatib said the Aqsa Mosque is for Muslims only and Ariel, who is known for his extremism against Muslims in general, has no authority to intervene in the Aqsa affairs.
Khatib confirmed that the Jerusalem Endowments is the only authority which has the sovereignty over the Aqsa Mosque by the coordination and patronage of the Jordanian government and King Abdullah II.
The Israeli Housing Minister had sent an urgent letter to the Israeli Prime Minister asking him to immediately halt all restoration works inside the Dome of the Rock claiming it would harm the relics of the alleged Temple of Solomon.
Ariel demanded Israeli policemen to confiscate the restoration tools and to stop the reparation works by force.
He said the renovation works in the Aqsa Mosque should be conducted in the presence of a supervision committee of the Israeli Ministry of Antiquities.
Sheikh Khatib said the Aqsa Mosque is for Muslims only and Ariel, who is known for his extremism against Muslims in general, has no authority to intervene in the Aqsa affairs.
Khatib confirmed that the Jerusalem Endowments is the only authority which has the sovereignty over the Aqsa Mosque by the coordination and patronage of the Jordanian government and King Abdullah II.
The Israeli Housing Minister had sent an urgent letter to the Israeli Prime Minister asking him to immediately halt all restoration works inside the Dome of the Rock claiming it would harm the relics of the alleged Temple of Solomon.
Ariel demanded Israeli policemen to confiscate the restoration tools and to stop the reparation works by force.
He said the renovation works in the Aqsa Mosque should be conducted in the presence of a supervision committee of the Israeli Ministry of Antiquities.
Jewish extremist groups stormed on Wednesday the plazas of the Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem via Magharebah gate under tight security measures by Israeli police and Special Forces.
Eyewitnesses reported that two groups of settlers provocatively broke into the courtyards of the holy site in the morning. The guards of the Aqsa Mosque confronted them by chanting: Allahu Akbar.
The witnesses said that the Jewish settlers performed Talmudic rituals in the Mosque’s yards.
The Israeli policemen took photos for the Muslim worshipers who confronted the settlers in order to arrest them later, the eyewitnesses said.
They pointed out that the Israeli policemen almost daily hold identity cards of Jerusalemite women at the various gates of the Aqsa Mosque until they go out in order to make it difficult for Muslims to visit the Islamic holy site.
In a similar context, the Israeli policemen rounded up at dawn Wednesday the young man Bashar Dari after breaking into his house in eastern Occupied Jerusalem.
Eyewitnesses reported that two groups of settlers provocatively broke into the courtyards of the holy site in the morning. The guards of the Aqsa Mosque confronted them by chanting: Allahu Akbar.
The witnesses said that the Jewish settlers performed Talmudic rituals in the Mosque’s yards.
The Israeli policemen took photos for the Muslim worshipers who confronted the settlers in order to arrest them later, the eyewitnesses said.
They pointed out that the Israeli policemen almost daily hold identity cards of Jerusalemite women at the various gates of the Aqsa Mosque until they go out in order to make it difficult for Muslims to visit the Islamic holy site.
In a similar context, the Israeli policemen rounded up at dawn Wednesday the young man Bashar Dari after breaking into his house in eastern Occupied Jerusalem.
A Palestinian sheikh on Wednesday was banned from entering the Al-Aqsa
Mosque compound for three months after Israeli authorities claimed he
posed a danger to security forces and Israeli visitors.
Sheikh Samir Ahmad al-Alami told Ma'an that an Israeli police officer telephoned him and summoned him for interrogation at the al-Qishla police station in Jerusalem's Old City.
Al-Alami, who is employed by the Islamic Endowment, said he refused to acknowledge the charges of posing a threat to public order and after being held for two hours was delivered a notice banning him from the holy site.
Separately, Israeli police on Wednesday detained Sanaa al-Rajabi as she was leaving Al-Aqsa Mosque and a Palestinian youth identified as Muhammad Abu Hadwan.
The Al-Aqsa compound, which sits just above the Western Wall plaza, houses both the dome of the rock and Al-Aqsa mosque and is the third holiest site in Islam.
It is also venerated as Judaism's most holy place as it sits where Jews believe the First and Second Temples once stood. The Second Temple was destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD.
Sheikh Samir Ahmad al-Alami told Ma'an that an Israeli police officer telephoned him and summoned him for interrogation at the al-Qishla police station in Jerusalem's Old City.
Al-Alami, who is employed by the Islamic Endowment, said he refused to acknowledge the charges of posing a threat to public order and after being held for two hours was delivered a notice banning him from the holy site.
Separately, Israeli police on Wednesday detained Sanaa al-Rajabi as she was leaving Al-Aqsa Mosque and a Palestinian youth identified as Muhammad Abu Hadwan.
The Al-Aqsa compound, which sits just above the Western Wall plaza, houses both the dome of the rock and Al-Aqsa mosque and is the third holiest site in Islam.
It is also venerated as Judaism's most holy place as it sits where Jews believe the First and Second Temples once stood. The Second Temple was destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD.
14 apr 2015
Sheikh Ekrema Sabri, Head of the Supreme Islamic Council, warned of the decision made by Jewish extremist groups to turn the historical Tankaziya school in Jerusalem into a Jewish synagogue.
Sheikh Dr. Sabri revealed, in a press statement on Tuesday, that the Tankaziya school is an Islamic Waqf and Mamluk edifice located within al-Aqsa Mosque vicinity. It belongs to Prince Tankaz al-Naseri who died in 1340 and ruled Jerusalem in the Mamluk era.
The Prince established the school in 1328AD as an education place and an orphanage. It consists of two stories including a niche.
Dr. Sabri noted that in the early thirties of last century, the upper floor was an office for the Mufti of Jerusalem Haj Amin al-Husseini. Then, It was taken by the Sharia court as one of its departments before it was used as Al-Aqsa Islamic Secondary School from the fifties of the twentieth century to the year 1969.
In 1969, it was taken over by the Israeli occupation. The students were expelled out of the school and it was used by the Israeli border guards.
Sheikh Sabri himself was the headmaster of the school at that time before it was taken over by Israeli forces.
The Islamic Supreme Council condemned the Israeli aggressive and arbitrary seizure of the school and demanded its return to the Islamic Awqaf management.
Dr. Sabri called on UNESCO, the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) and the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO) to bear their responsibilities and to exert efforts in order to protect the holy and historical sites in Jerusalem.
He also asked them to urgently move to oblige Israel to return the Tankaziya school to the endowment properties and to stop turning it into a synagogue.
Sheikh Dr. Sabri revealed, in a press statement on Tuesday, that the Tankaziya school is an Islamic Waqf and Mamluk edifice located within al-Aqsa Mosque vicinity. It belongs to Prince Tankaz al-Naseri who died in 1340 and ruled Jerusalem in the Mamluk era.
The Prince established the school in 1328AD as an education place and an orphanage. It consists of two stories including a niche.
Dr. Sabri noted that in the early thirties of last century, the upper floor was an office for the Mufti of Jerusalem Haj Amin al-Husseini. Then, It was taken by the Sharia court as one of its departments before it was used as Al-Aqsa Islamic Secondary School from the fifties of the twentieth century to the year 1969.
In 1969, it was taken over by the Israeli occupation. The students were expelled out of the school and it was used by the Israeli border guards.
Sheikh Sabri himself was the headmaster of the school at that time before it was taken over by Israeli forces.
The Islamic Supreme Council condemned the Israeli aggressive and arbitrary seizure of the school and demanded its return to the Islamic Awqaf management.
Dr. Sabri called on UNESCO, the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) and the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO) to bear their responsibilities and to exert efforts in order to protect the holy and historical sites in Jerusalem.
He also asked them to urgently move to oblige Israel to return the Tankaziya school to the endowment properties and to stop turning it into a synagogue.
Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, on Tuesday described as provocative the repeated incursions by the Israeli settlers along with Israeli policemen into the Aqsa Mosque in Occupied Jerusalem.
Hamas said the repeated incursions are provocative to Muslims’ feelings, saying that “The Aqsa Mosque is the heart of the Palestinian Question. It will spark again the comprehensive confrontations with the Israeli occupation”.
In press statements on Tuesday, Hamas spokesman abroad Husam Badran called on all Muslims to act for the defense of the Aqsa Mosque in order to protect the holy site by all possible methods.
Badran, who resides in Doha, hailed the steadfastness of the Jerusalemite people, stressing that all Palestinians are willing to sacrifice for the sake of protecting the Aqsa Mosque.
Earlier on Tuesday, 15 Jewish settlers broke into the Aqsa Mosque plazas from the Magharebah gate on Tuesday morning.
One of the Mosque’s guards told Quds Press that 15 Jewish settlers stormed the courtyards of the holy site under heavy police protection and performed Talmudic rituals.
A group of Muslim worshipers including women confronted them with chants of Allahu Akabar, he underlined.
Besides, 17 Israeli policemen broke into the Aqsa Mosque within an exploratory tour in the early morning hours.
Hamas said the repeated incursions are provocative to Muslims’ feelings, saying that “The Aqsa Mosque is the heart of the Palestinian Question. It will spark again the comprehensive confrontations with the Israeli occupation”.
In press statements on Tuesday, Hamas spokesman abroad Husam Badran called on all Muslims to act for the defense of the Aqsa Mosque in order to protect the holy site by all possible methods.
Badran, who resides in Doha, hailed the steadfastness of the Jerusalemite people, stressing that all Palestinians are willing to sacrifice for the sake of protecting the Aqsa Mosque.
Earlier on Tuesday, 15 Jewish settlers broke into the Aqsa Mosque plazas from the Magharebah gate on Tuesday morning.
One of the Mosque’s guards told Quds Press that 15 Jewish settlers stormed the courtyards of the holy site under heavy police protection and performed Talmudic rituals.
A group of Muslim worshipers including women confronted them with chants of Allahu Akabar, he underlined.
Besides, 17 Israeli policemen broke into the Aqsa Mosque within an exploratory tour in the early morning hours.
The Israeli Housing Minister Uri Ariel has sent ”an urgent letter” to Israeli Premier Benjamin Netanyahu demanding a stop to the Palestinian restoration works in al-Aqsa Mosque, Israeli Hayom newspaper said Tuesday.
Ariel’s letter came shortly after the Islamic Waqf Department declared intention to carry out excavations to replace the carpets of the Dome of Rock, the newspaper said.
He said that the work is being done without permission and was illegally organized, and therefore the Israeli police should stop the work as soon as possible.
“The work includes lifting flooring and excavation,” Ariel wrote. “All of this is being done by mechanical equipment.”
According to the letter, the scope of work being undertaken is unprecedented and requires review and approval of the ministerial committee for an archaeological dig in holy places.
Ariel’s letter came shortly after the Islamic Waqf Department declared intention to carry out excavations to replace the carpets of the Dome of Rock, the newspaper said.
He said that the work is being done without permission and was illegally organized, and therefore the Israeli police should stop the work as soon as possible.
“The work includes lifting flooring and excavation,” Ariel wrote. “All of this is being done by mechanical equipment.”
According to the letter, the scope of work being undertaken is unprecedented and requires review and approval of the ministerial committee for an archaeological dig in holy places.
A Jewish settlement foundation used a secret tunnel under Al Buraq Wall at Al Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem, an Israeli daily paper revealed, Tuesday.
The newspaper reported, according to Al Ray, that Ilaad settlement foundation used the tunnel under al-Buraq wall despite legal opposition.
They use the tunnel contrary to the both the law and the state's position, according to a petition submitted to the Supreme Court.
The report added that Emek Shafeh organization -- including scientists who protest the political use of their job -- had submitted a petition to use the tunnel which was dug in the past eight years by antiquities authorities and funded by Elad settlement foundation.
Israel frequently permits excavations and archaeological digs in occupied East Jerusalem, specifically around Al Aqsa Mosque, which threaten the structural integrity of Palestinian homes and holy sites in the area.
In 1967, Israel demolished the 800-year-old Moroccan Quarter of Jerusalem, displacing 650 Palestinians and destroying numerous mosques, homes and holy sites, in order to build a plaza in front of the Western Wall.
Israel also evicted around 6,000 Palestinians from nearby areas in order to massively expand the city's historic Jewish Quarter.
The newspaper reported, according to Al Ray, that Ilaad settlement foundation used the tunnel under al-Buraq wall despite legal opposition.
They use the tunnel contrary to the both the law and the state's position, according to a petition submitted to the Supreme Court.
The report added that Emek Shafeh organization -- including scientists who protest the political use of their job -- had submitted a petition to use the tunnel which was dug in the past eight years by antiquities authorities and funded by Elad settlement foundation.
Israel frequently permits excavations and archaeological digs in occupied East Jerusalem, specifically around Al Aqsa Mosque, which threaten the structural integrity of Palestinian homes and holy sites in the area.
In 1967, Israel demolished the 800-year-old Moroccan Quarter of Jerusalem, displacing 650 Palestinians and destroying numerous mosques, homes and holy sites, in order to build a plaza in front of the Western Wall.
Israel also evicted around 6,000 Palestinians from nearby areas in order to massively expand the city's historic Jewish Quarter.
Israel has reportedly accepted the allowance Palestinian vehicles to enter Jerusalem for the first time in 15 years, on Tuesday, the Israeli Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories said.
COGAT chief Yoav Mordechai said that the first phase of the plan will see more than 100 Palestinian doctors from the Bethlehem and Hebron districts permitted to enter Jerusalem, in private vehicles holding Palestinian license plates, and would be mostly aimed at those working in Israeli hospitals.
According to Ma'an, Mordechai said that the next phase will allow for businessmen to move freely.
The announcement comes a month after the Israeli authorities allowed Palestinian men over 55 and women over 50 to enter Jerusalem without permits.
That announcement also said that married men over the age of 22 would be eligible to apply for work permits, in contrast to current regulations that only allow married men over 24 who have children to apply.
As part of Israel's nearly 50-year-old military occupation of the West Bank, Palestinians are subject to a complex system of movement permits and are prevented from moving freely between different areas of the West Bank as well as into Israel and the Gaza Strip.
A 2007 World Bank report said: "Currently, freedom of movement and access for Palestinians within the West Bank is the exception rather than the norm, contrary to the commitments undertaken in a number of Agreements between GOI (the Government of Israel) and the PA.
"In particular, both the Oslo Accords and the Road Map were based on the principle that normal Palestinian economic and social life would be unimpeded by restrictions."
The report added that Palestinians "are barred from freely accessing large segments of the West Bank. These restricted areas include all areas within the municipal boundaries of settlements, the “seam zone”, much of the Jordan Valley, East Jerusalem, restricted roads and other ‘closed’ areas," estimated in total "to be in excess of 50 percent of the total area of the West Bank."
Israel provides permits to about 30,000 Palestinians from the West Bank allowing them to work inside Israel, but these permits are easily revocable and are subject to major restrictions on both movements and rights.
The numbers are also a far cry from the 1990s, when thousands more worked inside Israel.
Because Israel maintains almost complete control over the Palestinian economy, the decrease in numbers allowed to work inside Israel has led to widespread unemployment.
COGAT chief Yoav Mordechai said that the first phase of the plan will see more than 100 Palestinian doctors from the Bethlehem and Hebron districts permitted to enter Jerusalem, in private vehicles holding Palestinian license plates, and would be mostly aimed at those working in Israeli hospitals.
According to Ma'an, Mordechai said that the next phase will allow for businessmen to move freely.
The announcement comes a month after the Israeli authorities allowed Palestinian men over 55 and women over 50 to enter Jerusalem without permits.
That announcement also said that married men over the age of 22 would be eligible to apply for work permits, in contrast to current regulations that only allow married men over 24 who have children to apply.
As part of Israel's nearly 50-year-old military occupation of the West Bank, Palestinians are subject to a complex system of movement permits and are prevented from moving freely between different areas of the West Bank as well as into Israel and the Gaza Strip.
A 2007 World Bank report said: "Currently, freedom of movement and access for Palestinians within the West Bank is the exception rather than the norm, contrary to the commitments undertaken in a number of Agreements between GOI (the Government of Israel) and the PA.
"In particular, both the Oslo Accords and the Road Map were based on the principle that normal Palestinian economic and social life would be unimpeded by restrictions."
The report added that Palestinians "are barred from freely accessing large segments of the West Bank. These restricted areas include all areas within the municipal boundaries of settlements, the “seam zone”, much of the Jordan Valley, East Jerusalem, restricted roads and other ‘closed’ areas," estimated in total "to be in excess of 50 percent of the total area of the West Bank."
Israel provides permits to about 30,000 Palestinians from the West Bank allowing them to work inside Israel, but these permits are easily revocable and are subject to major restrictions on both movements and rights.
The numbers are also a far cry from the 1990s, when thousands more worked inside Israel.
Because Israel maintains almost complete control over the Palestinian economy, the decrease in numbers allowed to work inside Israel has led to widespread unemployment.
13 apr 2015
Israeli settlers, with elements of the intelligence community invaded, on Monday, the courtyards of Al Aqsa Mosque from Mughrabi Gate, amid tight police security.
Media coordinator of the Foundation for Islamic Waqf in Jerusalem, Firas al-Debes, told Al Ray Palestinian Media Agency that 15 settlers spread over two groups, including 6 elements of intelligence, stormed Al Aqsa courtyards during Monday's morning hours.
Al-Debes pointed out that the Palestinian worshipers confronted the settler incursions, and prevented them from performing Talmudic rites within the compound.
He explained that the Israeli police seized the personal cards of a number of worshipers within Al Aqsa, in an attempt to inhibit their resistance.
Al Aqsa Mosque is witnessing near daily occurrences of incursions and violations by Israeli settlers and Jewish extremist groups amid tightening restrictions on Palestinian worshipers, especially women.
Media coordinator of the Foundation for Islamic Waqf in Jerusalem, Firas al-Debes, told Al Ray Palestinian Media Agency that 15 settlers spread over two groups, including 6 elements of intelligence, stormed Al Aqsa courtyards during Monday's morning hours.
Al-Debes pointed out that the Palestinian worshipers confronted the settler incursions, and prevented them from performing Talmudic rites within the compound.
He explained that the Israeli police seized the personal cards of a number of worshipers within Al Aqsa, in an attempt to inhibit their resistance.
Al Aqsa Mosque is witnessing near daily occurrences of incursions and violations by Israeli settlers and Jewish extremist groups amid tightening restrictions on Palestinian worshipers, especially women.
A comprehensive guide offering basic data on Muslims’ holy al-Aqsa Mosque has recently been issued by a consortium of Palestinian and Jordanian institutions in a move aimed at fostering the inherently Islamic identity of Occupied Jerusalem.
According to a PIC correspondent, the guide was jointly prepared by the Hashemite Fund for the Reconstruction of the al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem’s Awqaf Department, and the Palestinian Academic Society for the Study of International Affairs.
The guide provides exhaustive data on the idiosyncrasies of the Mosque and the Dome of the Rock along with the gates, minarets, chapels, schools, water sources, the Islamic museum, the Buraq wall, and the plazas of the Mosque, all illustrated by instructive pictures and charts.
The guidebook also comprises a color chart of the Old City of Jerusalem and a panoramic view of the location of the holy Mosque in its historical milieu.
The small-sized manual, formatted in a bilingual Arabic-English version, comes to raise both tourists’ and natives’ awareness of the inherently Islamic character of the Holy al-Aqsa Mosque and refute Israeli attempts to Judaize the sacred site by imposing a foreign nomenclature and a new fait accompli.
According to a PIC correspondent, the guide was jointly prepared by the Hashemite Fund for the Reconstruction of the al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem’s Awqaf Department, and the Palestinian Academic Society for the Study of International Affairs.
The guide provides exhaustive data on the idiosyncrasies of the Mosque and the Dome of the Rock along with the gates, minarets, chapels, schools, water sources, the Islamic museum, the Buraq wall, and the plazas of the Mosque, all illustrated by instructive pictures and charts.
The guidebook also comprises a color chart of the Old City of Jerusalem and a panoramic view of the location of the holy Mosque in its historical milieu.
The small-sized manual, formatted in a bilingual Arabic-English version, comes to raise both tourists’ and natives’ awareness of the inherently Islamic character of the Holy al-Aqsa Mosque and refute Israeli attempts to Judaize the sacred site by imposing a foreign nomenclature and a new fait accompli.
