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Ammon News - * Jordanian Awqaf Minister Condemns Israeli Unilateral Actions at the Magharbeh Gate Pathway

** Jordan Condemns Israeli Unilateral Actions at Islamic Holy Site in Jerusalem

AMMONNEWS - Jordanian Minister of Awqaf and Religious Affairs, Dr. Abdel-Salam Abbadi, on Thursday condemned Israeli practices in the Holy City of Jerusalem; particularly its actions relating to the Magharbeh Gate Pathway (Mughrabi Ascent) at the Holy Aqsa Mosque Compound, Al-Haram Al-Sharif, one of the three holiest sites in Islam.

The Magharbeh Gate, situated in the Buraq area where the Prophet Muhammad tethered his steed for Al-Israa’ wal Mi’raaj; his miraculous night journey, is one of the holiest entrances to Al-Haram Al-Sharif, a statement issued by the Ministry of Awqaf said.

On 25th October, 2011 the Jerusalem Municipality ordered the Western Wall Heritage Foundation to unilaterally destroy the wooden bridge at the Magharbeh Gate Pathway within 30 days and replace it with a new wooden bridge, saying that it posed a danger to visitors.

"The Awqaf Administration is the party with legal custody and sovereignty over Al-Haram Al-Sharif. Israel has no right to replace the bridge unilaterally. The occupation authorities started the excavations and destruction of parts of the Magharbeh Gate Pathway in 2004 with the long-term goal of expanding the Buraq / Wailing Wall Plaza for Jewish prayer and to remove the remaining Islamic relics at the site," the statement added.

His Majesty King Abdullah II has expressed many times that the Islamic Holy Sites in Jerusalem are a red line that will not be crossed. The Awqaf Administration stands ready to immediately restore the current wooden bridge or build a new temporary wooden bridge.

"Executing the Israeli plan would constitute a violation of Al-Haram Al-Sharif and the Islamic endowments (Waqfs) in the Holy City of Jerusalem and would be in contravention of international laws and conventions. The Magharbeh Gate Site is an indivisible part of Al-Haram Al-Sharif which includes all the gates, hallways, roads, and inner and outer prayer areas above and below the Holy Compound. Al-Haram Al-Sharif is a Muslim Waqf property whose sovereignty lies with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan who cares for the Waqfs in Jerusalem on behalf of 1.5 billion Muslims worldwide," the Ministry statement added.

The statement described that "what the destruction of the temporary wooden bridge at the Magharbeh Gate Pathway 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. The Muslim world watches with great apprehension as tens of tunneling projects are undertaken around Al-Haram Al-Sharif in addition to museums and synagogues being built in its vicinity."

The statement stressed that Jordan asks the international community to stop threats and aggressions against Al-Haram Al-Sharif. "If it fails to do so, these violations will lead to a new and endless cycle of violence in the Middle East," the statement warned.

"The Jordanian government will take every necessary measure to protect one of Islam’s three holiest sites," it added.