What The Pope Heard on the Temple Mount

A translation from the Arabic of the words spoken to the Pope at his reception by Muslims during his visit to the Temple Mount on May 26, 2014.

The first speaker is Sheikh Abdul Azim Salhab, president of the Council of the Islamic Waqf in Jerusalem and the second is the Mufti of Jerusalem and preacher of the Al Aqsa Mosque, Mohammed Hussein.

the Mufti of Jerusalem Muhammad Ahmad Hussein, left, and 

at right, Abdul Azeem Salhab, Head of the Waqef supreme court

Credit: AP

Welcome to the gates of Jerusalem, City of Peace...a peace which has been removed by the Israeli occupation.

...Our goal is to fight the Israeli occupation of oppression, and we must do to be removed from our land. It is the occupation that wants to wipe our presence - both Muslims, both Christians - and obscure the identity through the severe oppressive measures of cutting off Jerusalem from its Palestinian attempt to Judaize it and hurt its people , and to take control of the holy places contrary to all divine laws and international conventions...the preventing the arrival of believers at places of worship is a violation of freedom of worship and the fight against faith.

There are ferocious attack against the holy places...and attempts to change the status-quo which are dangerous and constitute aggression against the Muslim nation...also a violation of the Hashemite Kingdom under the auspices of the holy places in Jerusalem. This can trigger a religious war in the region and the world. Israeli government bear those consequences of this policy.

Hence we turn to Your Excellency - saw your call for peace - will work to stop the attacks and acts of oppression those that harm the residents of Jerusalem, Muslims, and Christians. We urge you to prevent damage to holy places and to stem the attacks on the al - Aqsa Mosque.

and Muhammad Hussein

...This blessed mosque and all contained therein are subjected to aggression and invasions of extremist settlers, under the auspices of the Israeli occupation authorities, who seek to Judaize the mosque and share - both in terms of time [ = at certain hours of the day] in terms of the areas [ = at certain specified places].

..We want freedom and an end to the occupation, and that the Palestinian people will fill their legitimate rights , self-determination and an independent state with its capital in Jerusalem...

(thanks to YE)


Besides everything else, note the lack of Jews in their words.

Jews have no rights, history or future in Jerusalem.

From a news report:

Pope Francis was given a tour of the Asqa compound by Sheikh Muhammad Hussein, who gave Francis a letter speaking about the suffering of the Palestinians and the mistreatment of holy sites in Jerusalem.

Sheikh Hussein also talked about the destructive effects of Israel's separation wall on the Palestinians, concluding by calling for an end to the occupation and peace and security for all....

"May we work together for justice and peace," Francis said after being shown around the Al-Aqsa compound, which is also considered sacred by Jews because it was the site where their two famed Jerusalem temples once stood...

P.S.

This is a headline in the Pal. media:

'Thousands' of Israeli Jews to march on Aqsa compound

That, of course, was not true as they simply marched to the Kotel/Western Wall.

Oh, sorry.  Al-Buraq belongs to Al-Aqsa.


P.P.S.

And what did the Pope say?

“We are experiencing a fraternal dialogue and exchange which are able to restore us and offer us new strength to confront the common challenges before us,” the Pope told Muhammad Ahmad Hussein, Grand Mufti of Jerusalem on May 26...The Pontiff took the opportunity to reflect on the figure of Abraham, “who lived as a pilgrim in these lands,” and serves as an important figure to the three major religions.

“Muslims, Christians and Jews see in him, albeit in different ways, a father in faith and a great example to be imitated. He became a pilgrim, leaving his own people and his own house in order to embark on that spiritual adventure to which God called him,” he said...Pope Francis noted that Abraham’s attitude should be an example for every person.

...Pope Francis stressed, “Dear friends, from this holy place I make a heartfelt plea to all people and to all communities who look to Abraham: may we respect and love one another as brothers and sisters!”  “May we learn to understand the sufferings of others! May no one abuse the name of God through violence! May we work together for justice and peace!”

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