King attends Israa wal Miraj celebration

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Monday attended a ceremony marking the anniversary of Al Israa wal Miraj, Prophet Mohammad’s nocturnal journey from Mecca to Jerusalem and his ascension to heaven according to Muslim beliefs.

During the ceremony, attended by Royal family members and senior officials and officers, Awqaf Minister Hayel Dawood delivered a speech stressing the importance of the Hashemites’ custodianship over Al Aqsa Mosque, and Muslim and Christian sites in Jerusalem, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

He pointed to the Hashemites’ role in preserving the Islamic identity of the Holy City and their efforts to support Palestinians and prevent Israeli attempts to Judaise the city.

Dawood also highlighted the spirit of coexistence and tolerance the Hashemite family instilled in Jordan, citing Saturday’s visit of Pope Francis to the Kingdom.

Professor Mustafa Abu Sway, the first holder of the Integral Chair for the Study of Imam Abu Hamid Al Ghazali’s Work at the Holy Al Aqsa Mosque and Al Quds University, also delivered a speech highlighting the Hashemite role in defending Al Aqsa Mosque and other Muslim and Christian sites in Jerusalem.

He also underlined the importance of the recently concluded “Road to Jerusalem Conference” in Amman in reminding Muslims all over the world of the threats to their third holiest site, Petra reported.

Also on Monday, King Abdullah received cables of well wishes on the occasion of Israa wal Miraj from several leaders of Arab and Muslim states.  

He also received similar cables from senior Jordanian officials and officers. HRH Crown Prince Hussein received similar cables on the occasion from senior Jordanian officials and officers.

The Israa, followed by Miraj, was one of the miracles in the life of Prophet Mohammad. It happened on Rajab 27, in the seventh month of the Hijri lunar calendar, in the 10th year of Mohammad’s prophethood. 

Islamic sources say the prophet was carried from the Holy Mosque in Mecca to the Farthest Mosque (Al Aqsa Mosque) in Jerusalem on a creature called Al Buraq, and in the company of the archangel Gabriel (known in Arabic as Jibril).

There he led a congregational prayer of the prophets of God. 

After that, Gabriel took him to the heavens where he met prophets Adam, John, Jesus, Idris, Aaron and Moses. In the seventh heaven, he met Abraham, according to Islam Online, an authoritative Islamic web portal. 

During the divine journey, Allah ordered five daily prayers for the Muslim nation. The prophet then returned to Mecca on the same night.