Awqaf minister slams Israel’s provocative measures at Al Aqsa

AMMAN — The Jerusalem Awqaf Department (JAD) is the sole institution responsible for administrating the affairs of Al Aqsa Mosque, and is not subject to the Israeli occupation or to any of its regulations, Awqaf Minister Abdul Nasser Abul Bassal reasserted on Monday. 

Abul Bassal, in a statement carried by the Jordan News Agency, Petra, also highlighted that all employees at JAD and the Jerusalem Awqaf Council and the guards of Al Aqsa Mosque are administratively affiliated with the Awqaf Ministry.

The minister warned the occupation forces against repeated attacks on Islamic affairs employees, utterly rejecting the summoning of JAD’s Jordanian Director Muhammad Azzam Tamimi for investigation.

Abul Bassal, during a phone call with Tamimi earlier that day, highlighted his utmost support for the Jerusalem Awqaf Council and its employees, including guards and imams.

He condemned the provocative practices and attacks carried out by settlers against Al Aqsa Mosque with the use of force and weapons, calling on Israel to put an end to such aggression, which provokes Muslims around the world.

Stationing large numbers of Israeli forces inside Al Aqsa Mosque is merely an attempt to change the historical and legal status quo of the holy site, Abul Bassal said.

He added that banning Awqaf guards from carrying out their duties is an attempt to terrify them and pave the way for Jewish settlers to break into the mosque, hindering the efforts of the department and its guards to protect the mosque and document all attacks. 

The minister holds Israel accountable for any construction damages to Al Aqsa Mosque, especially the Bab Al Rahma (Gate of Mercy), as a result of its continuous ban on Aqsa reconstruction department employees to renovate the historical gate, which dates back more than 1,400 years.