Occupied Jerusalem, July 16 (Petra) – Director of Al-Aqsa Mosque Sheikh Omar Kiswani praised His Majesty King Abdullah II for protecting Christian holy sites in Palestine following an Israeli settler attack on Al-Khader Church and the vandalism of graves in the Christian cemetery in Taybeh, Ramallah.

In exclusive statements to the Jordan News Agency (Petra) on Wednesday, Kiswani emphasised that His Majesty's efforts demonstrate the severity of the attacks by extremist settlers on Islamic and Christian holy sites throughout Palestine, particularly in occupied Jerusalem.

He affirmed that the King's efforts are consistent with the Hashemite commitment to protect Islamic and Christian holy sites. He called on the international community to support the King's initiatives to halt Israeli attacks and violations across occupied Palestinian territories.

Kiswani highlighted the continuous follow-up and care by His Majesty King Abdullah II for the religious sites in occupied Jerusalem, especially the Al-Aqsa Mosque, noting ongoing reconstruction projects at the mosque, including the installation of electricity, tiling, lighting and sound systems.

He noted the launch of the Al-Mustafa Waqf project, aimed at supporting the memorisation of the Holy Quran. The initiative provides over 1,000 jobs in occupied Jerusalem, benefiting families of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Islamic Waqf Department and strengthening their presence in the Holy City.

Kiswani stressed that the Hashemite custodianship of Al-Aqsa Mosque remains a vital protective shield, safeguarding the mosque from the ambitions and schemes of the Israeli occupation and extremist settlers targeting the holy site.

//Petra// AK

16/07/2025 20:09:59