Dr Sharif AbuShammala
CEO- Al-Quds Foundation Malaysia
Since 1967, the Israeli Occupation has deliberately
attacked al-Quds and purposely attempted to destroy al-Aqsa Mosque, and instead
of it, Israel proposes to rebuild a Jewish temple. Since then, Israeli Forces
have subsequently adopted the policy of transgressive actions and violent
attacks. One of the most prominent oppressive aggressions that the history
should immortalise, was on the 21st of August 1969, when the Israeli
authorities have chosen to stage an unprecedented escalation in al-Quds to
damage and burn down intentionally al-Aqsa Mosque.
Setting the Fire
In the early of the 21 August, 1969, an extremist
Zionist emigrated from Australia and lived in an Israeli settlement, attempted
to set fire in al-Aqsa Mosque. The fire had swept some of the oldest parts of
the mosque, most notably destroyed the areological things particularly the old
wood and ivory pulpit gifted by Salahuddin Al-Ayubi and made significantly by
Nour-Aldeen Zenki, as well as mosaic panels on the ceilings and walls; many
areas within the mosque especially the Eastern parts were left burnt and
blackened.
The Israeli Attitudes
The events exposed necessarily the criminal behaviours
of the Israeli Authorities regarding the action. The Israeli Authorities
switched off internationally the sources of the water supply inside the Mosque
and neighbourhood close to the Mosque to prevent any rescue to the Holy place,
al-Aqsa Mosque. In addition, the Israeli Occupation Forces also prevented the
fire trucks, or any other extinguishers to reach the scene, claiming that it is
the al-Quds Municipality’s responsibility to handle the situation, which
motivated the fire to sweep and burn everything within the mosque including the
old-archaeological parts of it. The Muslim worshipers consequently used all
possible things to extinguish the fire; they tried to use their home blankets
and other small containers to bring water to extinguish the fire and to stop
the spread of burning.
Moreover, the professional investigation proves that
the set of fire was executed from two different sources within the Mosque,
which means that the set of fire was purposely planned and proceeded not
individually but collectively. It enhances the suspicion that the Israeli
Authorities were actively involved in the planning and facilitate the arson
attempt have never been disapproved.
The Cultural and Architectural Losses
Consequently, the human civilisation in
general and al-Quds in particular have lost a number of archaeological sites
and cultural monuments. For example;
·
The fire had swept
notably the 900-year-old wood and ivory pulpit gifted by Salahuddin Al-Ayubi, which is regarded as a unique
architectural masterpiece since it was made by an interlock manner without
functioning any nail. Then, it was moved by Salahuddin after opening al-Quds and releasing al-Aqsa
from the Crusaders.
·
Masjed “Omar” which was
made of muddy materials especially its roof made with clay and wooden bridges.
·
Mihrab “Zachariah”
which locates mainly on the Eastern side of the Mosque.
·
Maqam AlArbai’een (The
40th Place)
·
Three out of seven distinguished
galleries were destroyed, from which the Mosque was constructed as well as a
big part of the ceiling fell down on the flour as a result of the huge damage
and wildfire.
·
The mosaic panels that
include the inscription of Surat “Al-Isra’a” that was carved with the golden
mosaic over the Mihrab. The inscription is located on the Eastern side with a
length of 23m.
·
The wooden bridges
which spectacularly carry the candles.
·
48 windows which are
uniquely made with wood, gypsum and coloured glass, as well as these windows
were impressively designed to prevent the direct sunrays to enter the Mosque.
·
The “Ajami” carpet
which was sensationally made from peculiar materials.
The Political Reactions
·
The arson was
internationally condemned. The Security Council held an urgent summit, issuing
the resolution “271” of 1969, which significantly denounced the Israeli actions
and asked it to conceal the proposals that might change the situation of
Jerusalem.
The U.N resolution reported “The
Security Council express the deep sorrow for the attacking actions and the
damage that the Israeli Military Occupation had caused to al-Aqsa Mosque on the
21 Aug,1969. Additionally, the Security Council well understand the effects of
the damage specially on the Human-Cultural Civilization”
·
All Muslims and Arab
Countries were full of anger, calling for an Arab Summit, issuing an urgent
appeal to all Muslim leaders and their nations to participate for the sake of Jerusalem,
and they called the day of burning, 21 Aug, 1969 as a “Black Day”. In
addition, the Arab and Muslim leaders urgently arranged an Islamic Summit in
Rabat on the 25th Sep,1969. The summit called to arrange for the
foundation of a permanent secretariat to coordinate cooperation among Muslim
countries. This could later lead to the establishment of; The Organisation of
the Islamic Conference (OIC) which interestingly became the largest official
platform for cooperation among Muslim countries in the world.
·
The Israeli Officials
had expected that such action could threat their existence and the Islamic-Arab
anger and protestations might become a sharp threat to its existence in
Palestine particularly in Jerusalem. However, the reactions included merely
some protestations and statements of condemnation as well as the establishment
of (OIC).
The Judgement of the Criminals!
·
The extremist who set
the fire had been arrested by the Israeli Authorities and introduced to a fake
court claiming that he is a “psychopath man”, and then he was deported to
Australia till he died in 1995; however, his action surely had the apparent
blessing of the Israeli Occupation Forces.
·
The Israeli Occupation
Authorities; the big criminal has been attacking al-Aqsa Mosque. The Israeli
Authorities have attacked and corrupted the Mosque many times aiming to destroy
the whole Mosque and gradually attempt to implement their proposal and plans
over al-Aqsa.
Then,,,,,What’s Next?!
All Israeli actions and procedures reveal that the
fire is still burning the Mosque as well as the crimes are already continuous.
How can we animate this action as an anniversary and
resist such criminal activities?!
Of course, this sorrowful anniversary is important
since it exposes the “Zionist Hatred” to al-Aqsa and reveals the malicious conspiracy
on Jerusalem. Therefore, we as constitutions and individuals should;
·
Cooperate with each
other’s and keep the cause of al-Aqsa as our first Issue as well as save it in
our hearts and show its importance and holy in all our occasions.
·
Save al-Aqsa through
providing the political, financial and moral support for the Murabteen in
al-Aqsa.
·
Make all possible
actions to stop the Israeli aggression against al-Aqsa and ask for an
international resolution obliging Israeli to stop imposing greater control over
al-Aqsa.
·
Show the situation of
al-Aqsa off, and make presentations exposing the suffering of al-Quds in general and al-Aqsa in particular.