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By: <\/em>Dr. Sharif Abu Shammalah Since 1967, the Israeli Occupation has deliberately attacked al-Quds and purposely attempted to destroy al-Aqsa Mosque, and instead of it, Israel proposes to rebuild a Jewish temple. Since then, Israeli Forces have subsequently adopted the policy of transgressive actions and violent attacks. One of the most prominent oppressive aggressions that the history should immortalise, was on the 21st<\/sup>\u00a0of August 1969, when the Israeli authorities have chosen to stage an unprecedented escalation in al-Quds to damage and burn down intentionally al-Aqsa Mosque.<\/span><\/p>\n Setting the Fire<\/strong><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n In the early of the 21 August, 1969, an extremist Zionist emigrated from Australia and lived in an Israeli settlement, attempted to set fire in al-Aqsa Mosque. The fire had swept some of the oldest parts of the mosque, most notably destroyed the areological things particularly the old wood and ivory pulpit gifted by Salahuddin Al-Ayubi and made significantly by Nour-Aldeen Zenki, as well as mosaic panels on the ceilings and walls; many areas within the mosque especially the Eastern parts were left burnt and blackened.<\/span><\/p>\n The Israeli Attitudes<\/strong><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n The events exposed necessarily the criminal behaviours of the Israeli Authorities regarding the action. The Israeli Authorities switched off internationally the sources of the water supply inside the Mosque and neighbourhood close to the Mosque to prevent any rescue to the Holy place, al-Aqsa Mosque. In addition, the Israeli Occupation Forces also prevented the fire trucks, or any other extinguishers to reach the scene, claiming that it is the al-Quds Municipality\u2019s responsibility to handle the situation, which motivated the fire to sweep and burn everything within the mosque including the old-archaeological parts of it. The Muslim worshipers consequently used all possible things to extinguish the fire; they tried to use their home blankets and other small containers to bring water to extinguish the fire and to stop the spread of burning.<\/span><\/p>\n Moreover, the professional investigation proves that the set of fire was executed from two different sources within the Mosque, which means that the set of fire was purposely planned and proceeded not individually but collectively. It enhances the suspicion that the Israeli Authorities were actively involved in the planning and facilitate the arson attempt have never been disapproved.<\/span><\/p>\n The Cultural and Architectural Losses<\/strong><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0Consequently, the human civilisation in general and al-Quds in particular have lost a number of archaeological sites and cultural monuments. For example;<\/span><\/p>\n The Political Reactions<\/strong><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n The U.N resolution reported \u201cThe Security Council express the deep sorrow for the attacking actions and the damage that the Israeli Military Occupation had caused to al-Aqsa Mosque on the 21 Aug,1969. Additionally, the Security Council well understand the effects of the damage specially on the Human-Cultural Civilization<\/em>\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n The Judgement of the Criminals!<\/strong><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n Then,,,,,What\u2019s Next?!<\/strong><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n All Israeli actions and procedures reveal that the fire is still burning the Mosque as well as the crimes are already continuous.<\/span><\/p>\n How can we animate this action as an anniversary and resist such criminal activities?!<\/strong><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n Of course, this sorrowful anniversary is important since it exposes the \u201cZionist Hatred\u201d to al-Aqsa and reveals the malicious conspiracy on Jerusalem. Therefore, we as constitutions and individuals should;<\/span><\/p>\n
\nCEO of al-Quds Foundation Malaysia<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n
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