The 37th anniversary of the Israeli attempt to torch Al Aqsa mosque

Al Aqsa compound in Jerusalem (Ma'an)

August 22, 2006

Jerusalem - Ma'an – Arabs should put more pressure on their governments to rid the Al Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem of the occupation and confirm it as a pure Muslim property, the deputy head of the Islamic movement in Israel, Sheikh Kamal Al Khatib, said on Tuesday

Sheikh Al Khatib issued this call on the 37th anniversary of the Israeli criminal attempt to set fire to the Al Aqsa mosque, which is considered the third holiest site in Islam after Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia. Muslims believe that the Prophet Muhammad was flown through the heavens on a fabled winged creature, called Al Buraq, from Mecca to Al Aqsa (considered to be Jerusalem) in 632 AD. Muslims are also commemorating this "Night Flight" on 22 August 2006.

The sheikh called on the Arab media to show their respect for the Al Aqsa mosque by paying greater attention to the existential threats it faces, such as the excavations carried out by the Israeli authorities under the mosque in order to enlarge the area in front of the Western Wall, which Muslims call the yard of Al Buraq.