Al-Liqa’ Center for Religious and Heritage Studies in the Holy Land and Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center organized a meeting with H. E. Sheikh ‘Azzam Al-Khateeb, the General Director of the Jerusalem Awqaf and the affairs of the Blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque Sanctuary. Great numbers of Bishops and priests as well as secular persons accompanied the two Centers to express their unequivocal support of fellow Muslims in their defense of Al-Aqsa in these difficult circumstances. We believe that all faithful should take similar steps to support the recognized status quo of this Islamic Holy place. This means that Al-Aqsa belongs to Muslims only. The delegation expressed their love and appreciation of fellow Muslims in their steadfastness in light of aggression of extremists Jews.
Palestinian Christians included H. E. Bishop William Shomali, H. E. Bishop ‘Atalla Hanna, H. E. Bishop Butros Malki and a number of other Christian clergy including Fr. Ibrahim Faltas, Archimandrite Malathius Basal, Fr. Sham’on Jan, Fr. ‘Issa Musleh, Fr. ‘Abdallah Julio Brunella, Fr. Suheil Fakhoury, Fr. Firas Hijazin, and Fr. Michael Shawqi. The delegation included as well as Rev. Dr. Na’im ‘Ateeq, Director of Sabeel Center and Dr. Geries S. Khoury, Director of Al-Liqa’ Center, Sawsan Bitar, Mr. Lawrence Sammour and Mr. Omar Harami.
The Palestinian Christian delegation was received and welcomed by H. E. Sheikh Muhammad Hussein, Mufti of Jerusalem and Palestine, H. E. Sheikh ‘Azzam Al-Khateeb, H. E. Mr. ‘Adnan Al-Husseini, the Governor of Jerusalem and officers and employee in the Noble Al-Aqsa area.
Rev. Dr. Na’im ‘Ateeq delivered in the name of Sabeel and Al-Liqa’ statement that was prepared by the two centers in which he thanked Muslim religious personalities and governor for their great welcome. (Read the statement)
H. E. Sheikh Muhammad Hussein responded by thanking the two Centers on this step which stressed that all of us are children of Palestine who believe in shared living.
Muslim and Christian holy places are Holy places that belong to all of us. We need to guard and protect them against those who aggress against Christian places like the Tabgha Church and the Latrun Monastery. All of us are targeted and we need to be united in the face of aggression against Muslim and Christian places.
H. E. Governor of Jerusalem, Mr. ‘Adnan Al-Husseini welcomed the delegation and thanked this exceptional initiative by the two Centers. He thanked all bishops, priests, monks and others who came to express their support of Al-Aqsa.
H. E. Bishop Atallah Hanna and H. E. Bishop William Shomali stressed national unity and shared living in their talks and thanked the two Centers’ initiative.
The last speaker was H. E. Sheikh ‘Azzam Al-Khateeb who thanked the delegation in its unequivocal support of their fellow Muslims in their darkest hours and in light of the many challenges that face the Palestinian Arab people. He added that the clear stand of His Majesty King ‘Abdallah II of Jordan is highly appreciated. King ‘Abdallah II said of the 144 Dunums of Al-Aqsa area are for Al-Aqsa sactuary and we do not accept any changes in the status quo even if it is a one centimeter.
Following the delegation’s visit, the mass media interviewed members and covered this event.
