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May 9, 2004 Dream 2 TV (Egypt)
The Mufti of the Palestinian Authority, Ikrima Sabri, was interviewed by the privately owned Egyptian television station, Dream 2. In this interview, Sabri discussed the status of Jerusalem. The following is a verbatim translation of excerpts from Sabri's comments:
Ikrima Sabri: I serve in a religious position that is not bound by political or geographic borders. Religion is beyond any political consideration and agreement and I am the mufti of Palestine from the (Mediterranean) Sea to the (Jordan) River. The Muslims of the territories of '48 have also pledged their allegiance to me. From 1994 and till today, the religious source of authority for Palestine is the Dar Al-Fatwah in Jerusalem.
The Al-Buraq Wall (i.e. the Western Wall) is part of Al-Aqsa Mosque. It is part of a wall, the wall (surrounding) the mosque. Just like any house with a wall, this wall belongs to the house. The Al-Buraq Wall, is part of the Al-Aqsa Mosque. Not only the Muslims claim this. The League of Nations stated in 1930, before the establishment of the UN, that this is Islamic endowment and Muslim property. The British Shaw committee...
Moderator: Even though there are Jewish prayers there?
Ikrima Sabri: The Jews pray in front of the Wall, on the outer side of it. But even had they accepted this, the League of Nations stated that a Jew is allowed to pray in front of the Wall, but the Wall belongs to the Muslims.
Moderator: Muslim property…
Ikrima Sabri: Obviously.
Moderator: And that is why you see its abandonment as betrayal?
Ikrima Sabri: Naturally. Why should we abandon it? The 1929 uprising was for its sake; it was called the Al-Buraq Uprising. Why give away something that belongs to Muslims for 15 centuries?
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