Statement by Sheikh Sabri on the 55th Anniversary of the Arson of Al-Aqsa Mosque
Sheikh Sabri made an important statement on the occasion of the 55th anniversary of the arson attack on the Al-Aqsa Mosque on August 21, 1969. The statement, published by the High Islamic Commission, emphasized that Muslims around the world should not forget the infamous arson attack on the Al-Aqsa Mosque by Australian fanatic Denis Michael Rohan. It was stated that Rohan was “a member of the Christian Zionist church.”
Sheikh Sabri stated that at that time, the High Islamic Commission directly accused the Israeli authorities and as a result of these accusations, Israel described Rohan as “mentally ill” and closed the file. He also noted that the High Islamic Commission reminded the younger generations, who did not witness the incident, of this great crime once again on its 55th anniversary in order to raise awareness of this historical event.
“The fires against the Al-Aqsa Mosque are still going on one after another and in various forms,” Sheikh Sabri said, drawing attention to the fact that the extremist fanatic Jews continue their racist raids with the direct support of the right- wing Tel Aviv government and the Israeli army. He stressed that the foundations of the Qiblah Mosque and the Islamic monuments around it are under threat.
Stating that the statements of the far-right government and members of the Parliament in Israel directly harmed the sanctity of Al-Aqsa, Sheikh Sabri stated that these statements revealed the ambitions of the Jews in Al-Aqsa Mosque. He also conveyed that these statements were based on the slander that Al-Aqsa was built on the Temple of Solomon.
Sheikh Sabri said that Israeli authorities have recently been trying to take over the authority of the Jerusalem Islamic Endowments Authority, which is affiliated with the Jordanian Ministry of Endowments, Islamic Affairs and Sanctities, which protects Al-Aqsa, and have made repeated statements to expand Their sovereignty over Al-Aqsa and change its historical status quo.
Emphasizing that the entire 144-acre area of the Al-Aqsa Mosque belongs to Muslims, Sheikh Sabri condemned the raids and attacks carried out by fanatic Jews and the holding of Talmudic rituals in its courtyard. He took a strong stance against the Israeli authorities who interfered in the administration of Al-Aqsa.
Al-Aqsa Mosque was subjected to a great disaster when it was set on fire by Australian fanatic Denis Michael Rohan on August 21, 1969. The fire started in the eastern part of the “Qibla Mosque” in the southern part of Aqsa and many valuable artifacts, including the historical artifact known as the “Minbar of Saladin al-Ayyubi”, were reduced to ashes.
