The Palestinian Minister of Awqaf and Religious Affairs, Mohammad Mustafa Najm, stated that his ministry, based on the directives of the Palestinian government, rejects the Israeli occupation’s demands to roof the courtyard of the Ibrahimi Mosque, citing concerns over the harm it would cause to the mosque's historical and cultural significance, as well as the infringement on the exclusive authority of the Ministry of Awqaf.
اضافة اعلان
In a statement released by the ministry on Tuesday, Najm clarified that the ministry has exclusive rights over the restoration and repair work needed for the mosque, including the occupied part of it.
Najm emphasized that the Ministry of Awqaf will not accept any form of encroachment on its powers by the occupation. Additionally, he highlighted that the Ibrahimi Mosque is listed as a cultural heritage site, recognized by rights organizations, including UNESCO, which has stated that no feature of the mosque should be altered. Therefore, any change to the mosque's structure is deemed unacceptable.
He explained that the area the occupation intends to roof is the only open space in the mosque when it becomes overcrowded with Muslim worshippers. There are concerns that a roof could cause suffocation among the worshippers, particularly in the "Isaac’s prayer area." The location of the proposed roof also has drainage channels, which, if blocked by construction, could lead to water accumulation, damaging the mosque. Moreover, the addition of a metal roof would pose a structural risk to the building.
Najm also warned of the danger in agreeing to roof the mosque, as it would allow the Israeli occupation to bypass all legal references established since the 1994 Ibrahimi Mosque massacre. This includes disregarding the "Shamgar Committee" resolution, which affirmed the Ministry of Awqaf’s exclusive authority over renovations. Allowing the occupation to intervene would subject the mosque to the whims of Israeli military officers, particularly under the current far-right government that exploits the daily war it wages against Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza.
Najm recalled that after the Ibrahimi Mosque massacre in 1994, Israel had repeatedly requested permission to roof the mosque's courtyard, but the Ministry of Awqaf has always opposed it due to the significant risks it poses to the mosque's integrity. He further described how, on the night of July 9, 2024, Israeli forces attempted to roof the mosque's courtyard without approval from the Ministry of Awqaf. However, Palestinian efforts, led by the Ministry of Awqaf and local institutions, successfully removed the Israeli-imposed roofing by July 16, 2024.
On December 9, 2024, Israel again proposed roofing the courtyard, citing political approval from the Israeli government. This attempt is seen as part of a broader Israeli strategy to control the mosque, including plans to eventually transform it into a purely Jewish site by erasing its Islamic historical and cultural features.
Najm emphasized that the Israeli occupation has already carried out multiple violations of the mosque's structure, such as installing an elevator that distorted the mosque's historical appearance and conducting excavations and extensions within its premises. He also noted the daily violations against the mosque’s custodians, employees, and worshippers.
He called on the international community and institutions concerned with human rights and the protection of world heritage to intervene and prevent Israel from roofing the Ibrahimi Mosque courtyard. He urged the official and civil institutions in Hebron to mobilize efforts to prevent the occupation from carrying out its plans and to safeguard the mosque’s religious and cultural identity.
Najm also called on the people of Hebron to maintain a continuous presence at the mosque, performing prayers and participating in religious events, as their efforts are key to thwarting the occupation's plans.
(Wafa)
