Thursday, 03 November 2011
Jordan said an Israeli plan to demolish an access ramp to al-Aqsa mosque compound would lead to “endless” violence in the Middle East. (File photo)
Jordan condemned on Thursday a controversial Israeli plan to demolish an access ramp to the al-Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem, saying this would lead to “endless” violence in the Middle East.
“Jerusalem’s awqaf (Islamic endowment) administration is the party with legal custody and sovereignty over al-Haram al-Sharif (the Noble Sanctuary). Israel has no right to replace the bridge unilaterally,” Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Minister Abdul Salam Abbadi said in a statement.
Jordan, the custodian of Muslim holy sites in Jerusalem, in coordination with the Palestinians, “asks the international community to stop threats and aggressions against al-Haram al-Sharif,” the minister said.
“Jerusalem’s awqaf (Islamic endowment) administration is the party with legal custody and sovereignty over al-Haram al-Sharif (the Noble Sanctuary). Israel has no right to replace the bridge unilaterally,” Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Minister Abdul Salam Abbadi said in a statement.
Jordan, the custodian of Muslim holy sites in Jerusalem, in coordination with the Palestinians, “asks the international community to stop threats and aggressions against al-Haram al-Sharif,” the minister said.
“If it fails to do so, these violations will lead to a new and endless cycle of violence in the Middle East.”
On Oct. 25, Jerusalem’s city council said it had ordered the demolition of the ramp of the historic al-Mughrabi Gate that leads to the compound’s al-Buraq Wall, known to Jews as the Western Wall.
The ramp was erected in 2004 as a temporary measure after the collapse of a previous walkway, and is used by non-Muslim visitors to the historic site as well as by Israeli security forces wanting to enter the plaza.
“Executing the Israeli plan would constitute a violation of al-Haram al-Sharif and the Islamic endowments in the Holy City of Jerusalem and would be in contravention of international laws and conventions,” said Abbadi, whose country signed a peace treaty with Israel in 1994.
The order from the city council was addressed to the Western Wall Heritage Foundation, which manages the plaza next to the ramp, saying the organization must demolish the structure within 30 days and begin building a new one.
“The awqaf administration stands ready to immediately restore the current wooden bridge or build a new temporary wooden bridge,” said Abbadi.
“What the destruction of the temporary wooden bridge at gate means for the Islamic world is that the plans of some extremist Israelis to destroy or take over parts of al-Haram al-Sharif are being realized.”
On Oct. 25, Jerusalem’s city council said it had ordered the demolition of the ramp of the historic al-Mughrabi Gate that leads to the compound’s al-Buraq Wall, known to Jews as the Western Wall.
The ramp was erected in 2004 as a temporary measure after the collapse of a previous walkway, and is used by non-Muslim visitors to the historic site as well as by Israeli security forces wanting to enter the plaza.
“Executing the Israeli plan would constitute a violation of al-Haram al-Sharif and the Islamic endowments in the Holy City of Jerusalem and would be in contravention of international laws and conventions,” said Abbadi, whose country signed a peace treaty with Israel in 1994.
The order from the city council was addressed to the Western Wall Heritage Foundation, which manages the plaza next to the ramp, saying the organization must demolish the structure within 30 days and begin building a new one.
“The awqaf administration stands ready to immediately restore the current wooden bridge or build a new temporary wooden bridge,” said Abbadi.
“What the destruction of the temporary wooden bridge at gate means for the Islamic world is that the plans of some extremist Israelis to destroy or take over parts of al-Haram al-Sharif are being realized.”
No comments:
Post a Comment