Khaberni - The Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, Mohammed Al-Khalaileh, stated that Al-Aqsa Mosque, the Dome of the Rock, the Islamic and Christian endowments are all under the Hashemite Custodianship of His Majesty King Abdullah II, and they derive their legitimacy from the religious and historical dimension.
He noted that the Ministry of Awqaf oversees about 120 mosques in Jerusalem, in addition to all Islamic and Christian endowments, within the framework of preserving the Arab and Islamic identity of the sanctities in the city.
He confirmed that the ministry continuously works to implement the Hashemite custodianship over Al-Aqsa Mosque and to apply what it entails in terms of maintaining, caring, and restoring the mosque, besides supporting the staff and guards working in it, emphasizing that this task is not easy in light of Israeli harassment.
Al-Khalaileh stated that the number of employees affiliated with the Islamic endowments in Jerusalem is about 800, receiving 17% of the budget of the Ministry of Awqaf.
He mentioned that "His Majesty King Abdullah II has graciously increased the allowance of the workers in the Jerusalem Waqfs by 400% over the past three years under the item (resilience allowance)," supporting their persistence at their job sites inside Al-Aqsa Mosque, noting that the salary scale and annual expenses allocated for the employees at the mosque amount to no less than 17 million Jordanian Dinars annually.
Al-Khalaileh spoke about the ongoing harassment from the Israeli occupation authorities, which the ministry faces in its work to protect Al-Aqsa Mosque and oversee its affairs.
He explained that Al-Aqsa Mosque faces repeated violations by Jewish extremists and occupation forces, represented in daily intrusions and performing religious rituals that are unacceptable to the Islamic endowments, constituting a clear infringement on the sanctity of the place.
The minister emphasized that the Ministry of Awqaf closely follows what occurs inside Al-Aqsa Mosque 24 hours a day, in order to monitor the violations and deal with them within its responsibilities under the Hashemite custodianship.
Al-Khalaileh said: "Today, His Majesty King Abdullah II stands at the forefront of those defending Al-Aqsa Mosque, raising the banner of defending it politically and morally, in all forums, affirming that Al-Aqsa Mosque is a pure right of the Muslims, which does not accept temporal nor spatial division."
He added that this position is clear and firm for us in Jordan, and His Majesty the King has expressed it very clearly, affirming that Al-Aqsa Mosque is not confined to the Dome of the Rock or the Umar Mosque, but includes the entire area within the walls, totaling 144 dunams, emphasizing that this area with all that it contains is Al-Aqsa Mosque, a right that is indivisible and a red line for us.
The minister continued, stating that defending Al-Aqsa is not only a political responsibility but also a moral and financial one, and that the Ministry of Awqaf bears the responsibility of caring for it, maintaining it, restoring it, and providing its needs, from carpets, regular maintenance, and other requirements. "Some may think these tasks are simple, but they are in fact a vital part of protecting the mosque and holding onto our right to it. We should not underestimate the value of any effort made to serve this sacred place."
He pointed out that other paths are equally important, and they are paths of moral and material defense, through direct support, maintenance work, restoration, and daily care of Al-Aqsa Mosque, including carpeting it and providing its needs.
About the ministry's projects in Al-Aqsa Mosque, the Minister of Awqaf confirmed that work in Al-Aqsa Mosque does not stop, and there are ongoing projects.
Al-Khalaileh said that among the most prominent projects being implemented is the lighting project in Al-Aqsa Mosque, where a significant part of it has been completed, and it is expected to be completed soon.
He added that the ministry is also working on a new project to carpet Al-Aqsa Mosque, in addition to ongoing maintenance and restoration works, emphasizing that there are earnest efforts to maintain various facilities inside the Al-Aqsa compound.
Among the notable projects, according to the minister, is the restoration of the Dome of the Rock, where maintenance work for the gold plates has been carried out, along with repainting the dome with gold, generously donated by His Majesty King Abdullah II, as part of his continuous support for the Islamic sanctities in Jerusalem.
He also stated that the ministry is working on a project to update the sound system in Al-Aqsa Mosque, in addition to training the employees inside the mosque to cooperate with the Jordanian Civil Defense in dealing with emergencies and fires, enhancing readiness and public safety.
Al-Khalaileh affirmed that these projects and others reflect Jordan's actual and practical concern for Al-Aqsa, not just in words, emphasizing that what the kingdom does is a religious and human duty, emanating from the Hashemite custodianship.
