Al-Aqsa Tension: NGOs Hope Jordanian King Will Enforce Greater Pressure On Israel

By Nur Ashikin Abdul Aziz KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 23 (Bernama) -- Local non-governmental organisations (NGOs), concerned over tensions at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, hope the Custodian of the Holy Sites in Jerusalem, King Abdullah II of Jordan, will enforce greater pressure on Israel. They said this was especially so after Israel's recent attacks and aggression on the mosque. Speaking to Bernama, Malaysian Consultative council of Islamic Organisation (MAPIM) president Mohd Azmi Abdul Hamid said he hoped Jordan would recall its ambassador to Israel as a strong sign of protest for disregarding the sanctity of Islam's third holiest mosque. "If this step is taken, I will consider it as a strong signal and responsibility on the part of Jordan which in turn will cause other Islamic countries come to its supporty," he said. Mohd Azmi also acknowledged King Abdullah II’s continuous effort in defending Al Aqsa's sovereignty and peace in the compound, including meeting with several Arab members of the Knesset (Israel Parliament) to discuss efforts to end Israeli violations, recently. Jordan has custodial rights over the holy sites in Jerusalem in accordance with an agreement signed in 2013 between King Abdullah II and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. According to King Abdullah's website, the agreement stipulates that King Abdullah II has the full right to exert all legal efforts to safeguard and preserve Jerusalem’s holy sites, especially Al-Aqsa Mosque, defined as the entire al-Haram al-Sharif compound. Commenting on the clash of celebrations between Muslim's Eid ul Adha and the Jew's Yom Kippur this week, Mohd Azmi said he was worried that tensions could escalate when both sides congregate at the holy site. Yom Kippur, also known as Day of Atonement, is the holiest day of the year in Judaism. Palestinian Cultural Organisation Malaysia (PCOM) chairman Muslim Imran also had a similar view, saying that Israel was likely to use this occasion to divide Al Aqsa spatially and in terms of time. "In 1994, a masscare in Ibrahami mosque (in Hebron city) by Israeli extremists resulted in the mosque being divided between Muslims and Jews the next year. "I'm afraid that this situation could recur if something untoward happens during the celebration of Eid ul Adha and Yom Kippur," he said. Muslim said that since Aug 24, the Israeli authorities had allowed Jews into Al Aqsa daily from 7.30am to 11.30am that aimed to divide Al-Aqsa in terms of time, which constituted a violation of Muslim's exclusive right to the mosque. According to reports, recent aggression in the Al-Aqsa Mosque between Muslims and the Israeli police force, which started Sept 13 (the Hebrew New Year), has left many injured and arrested. After the incident, Muslim worshippers were prevented from entering Al-Aqsa for four days in a row. -- BERNAMA