PNC in Jordan praises actions which led to riots at the Al-Aqsa Mosque, in order to prevent its “defilement”
Headline: “[Palestinian] National Council members in Jordan praise the Jerusalem residents’ courage in defending the Al-Aqsa Mosque”
“Palestinian National Council (i.e., the legislative body of the PLO) members in Jordan praised the legendary resolve of our heroic people in Jerusalem – Muslims and Christians – against the terror of the occupation and its settlers on the first day of Eid Al-Adha (i.e., “the Sacrifice Feast”) in defense of the Al-Aqsa Mosque (refers to Muslims rioting on the Temple Mount to block Jews from visiting it on Tisha B’Av, Aug. 11, 2019; see note below –Ed.), led by [PA Grand] Mufti of Jerusalem and the Palestinian Territories [and Palestinian Supreme Fatwa Council Chairman] Sheikh Muhammad Hussein, Al-Aqsa Mosque Manager Omar Al-Kiswani, and Jerusalem Islamic Waqf Council Chairman Abdul Azim Salhab.
This was said during a meeting held today (Monday) [Aug. 12, 2019] at the site of the [Palestinian National] Council’s session in the capital of Jordan, Amman, at the invitation of National Council Chairman Salim Al-Za’anoun, and in the presence of his deputy Father Constantine Qarmash, Council Secretary Muhammad Sbeih, and [Palestinian] national leader Farouq Al-Qaddumi.
The [council] members praised the decisions to delay the holiday prayer and limit it to the Al-Aqsa Mosque, and the postponement of slaughtering the sacrifices to the second day [of the holiday], which had a great impact on the gathering of the Palestinian masses from all levels and ages… and all of them succeeded in thwarting the occupation’s plan and the settlers’ dreams of dividing the Al-Aqsa Mosque (referring to a proposed law that would allow Jews to pray on the Temple Mount; see note below –Ed.) from being carried out…
They emphasized that the Israeli occupation government is fully responsible… and saw in this that this extremist government is pushing towards a religious war in the most sensitive area in the world, and it must bear all of the consequences stemming from this.
They also demanded that the Arab and Islamic nations fulfill their obligations towards the Palestinian cause, particularly regarding the abandonment and defilement of their sanctity to which the Al-Aqsa Mosque and Jerusalem are being subjected in these blessed days, and the attempt to divide [the Al-Aqsa Mosque] as a prelude to it being taken over.”
Muhammad Hussein also serves as Deputy Secretary-General and acting Secretary-General of the PLO Popular National Conference of Jerusalem.