Al-Aqsa Mosque Refurbishment: Committee for Support of Palestinian People Commends Moroccan King’s gesture

The international Committee for support of the Palestinian people has commended the decision of King Mohammed VI, Chairman of the Al-Quds Committee, to allocate a substantial financial grant to restore and upgrade some areas within the Al-Aqsa Mosque, one of Islam’s holiest sites, in occupied Jerusalem.

The committee issued a statement to thank the King of Morocco for his initiative and his commitments as the chairman of the Al Quds Committee, an offshoot of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

The Committee lauded the Sovereign’s continued interest and concern for Al-Quds Asharif, its sacredness and civilizational heritage, as well as its spiritual dimension for the three monotheistic religions.

The Committee also commended the continuous support of the Moroccan Sovereign, government and people for the freedom of the Palestinian people, and hailed their noble stances in support of the resistance of the people of Al-Quds and the establishment of the independent State of Palestine, with Al-Quds Asharif as its capital.

On Wednesday, the Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that King Mohammed VI has decided to grant a “substantial financial subvention” as a contribution from Morocco to the refurbishment and renovation of some areas of Al-Aqsa Mosque and its surroundings.

The initiative is part of the King’s commitment to preserving the historical symbol of Jerusalem, the Foreign Ministry said, adding that a team of Moroccan architects and engineers will be dispatched to help with restoration works.

The King’s initiative came three days after a fire broke out at the Dome of the Rock compound in Jerusalem. The fire affected a guard’s room near the Marwani Prayer Room, also known as Solomon’s Stables.

The fire broke out in the mosque at the same time Notre Dame Cathedral, the landmark Gothic monument in Paris, caught fire on Monday evening.

The initiative also came a couple of weeks after King Mohammed VI and Pope Francis signed in Rabat “The Jerusalem / Al-Quds Call” urging for the preservation and for promoting and enhancing the specific multi-faith character, spiritual dimension and special identity of the holy city.

Based in Rabat, the international Committee for support of the Palestinian people is an offshoot of the Afro-Asian Peoples’ Solidarity Organization.