Israeli claim that Al-Aqsa compound risks collapse rejected

By: Sultan Ahmed

AMMAN, Jordan: Jordanian government and Muslim religious officials in Held Jerusalem have dismissed Israeli claims that part of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Held Jerusalem is at risk of collapse saying experts had checked it earlier this year.

Talking to the pro-government Ar-Rai newspaper daily on Monday, Religious Affairs Minister Ahmed Heleil said: “There are no foundations for the Israeli warnings suggesting that the Marwani prayer room could collapse during the holy month of Ramadan,” which begins next month.

Heleil, who heads a Jordanian committee responsible for the maintenance of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, said that a team of experts visited the site earlier this year and found no reason for concern.

Held Jerusalem’s Muslim religious officials called the Israeli allegations “baseless” and a “mere pretext to take over Islamic holy places”.

Sunday, Israeli Minister for Interior Security Gideon Ezra raised fears about the possible collapse of part of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound. He said work to strengthen the mosque plaza should start immediately or Israel would limit access during Ramadan for safety reasons.

Ezra told Israeli public radio that work was needed to strengthen the underground Solomon's Stables section of the mosque “because the roof of this structure is at risk of collapsing under the weight of the worshippers who will assemble there during the Ramadan… Israel cannot take such a risk.”

According to Public radio it was Israeli Premier Ariel Sharon himself who personally ordered the measures in order to prevent a tragedy at the compound which was recently weakened by an earthquake.

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