Last update - 00:00 03/03/2007
Salah urges Muslim states to halt 'Judaization' of Jerusalem
By Danny Rubinstein and Yoav Stern, Haaretz Correspondents
Sheikh Ra'ad Salah, the leader of the northern branch of the Islamic Movement, called Monday in Cairo for the Arab and Muslim worlds to take measures to halt the excavations near the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem's Old City.
In a news conference in the Egyptian capital, Salah called on television stations in Muslim countries to devote their opening stories to the dig, and on the governments of those countries to set up a special fund to collect contributions "to save Jerusalem from attempts by the Israeli establishment to 'Judaize' it."
Salah and Sheikh Ikrima Sabri, head of the Supreme Muslim Council of Jerusalem, met Saturday with Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa.
They expressed hope that the issue would be included on the agenda of the summit of Arab foreign ministers to be held in Cairo on Sunday.
In addition to the Arab League delegation, an Islamic Movement delegation returned this weekend from a trip to Turkey, where they met with senior Turkish officials expected to arrive in Israel this week.
On Thursday, Azzam al-Hatib was appointed head of the Muslim Waqf, or religious authority, replacing Adnan al-Husseini.
The position of leader of the Waqf is the most important within the Muslim hierarchy of Jerusalem.
Jerusalem's Waqf is sponsored by Jordan. The peace agreement between Israel and Jordan stipulates that the Jordanian government holds a special status in the maintenance of Islamic holy places in the city.
For several years, Jordan has been trying to limit the activity of Muslim authorities, including Hamas officials and Salah himself, on issues concerned with Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Palestinian Authority officials have also expressed dissatisfaction at Salah's activities.
Sabri, the former mufti of Jerusalem, was removed from his position by the PA for his close relations with Salah.
Sheikh Muhammad Hussein, considered a favorite of the Jordanian regime, was appointed in his place.
In recent years, cooperation between Israel and Jordan has increased in all areas related to Al-Aqsa Mosque.
For the past two years, Israel Police have prevented many Palestinians from entering the Temple Mount, including Waqf employees identified with Hamas, and many of those employed by the Palestinian Authority.
As well, Israel and Jordan have recently cooperated on restricting Salah's movement in the area of the mosque.
Related articles