EGYPT MUFTI DECRIES AQSA MOSQUE VIOLATIONS BY EXTREMIST SETTLERS

Al-Quds (Jerussalem), 29 Shawwal 1434/5 September 2013 (MINA) – The mufti urged the international community to “confront Israeli attempts to violate Islamic holy places and historic sites, which provoke the feelings of Arab and Muslim nations” in a statement

Egyptian Grand Mufti Shawqi Allam on Wednesday denounced the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex in Al-Quds (Jerusalem) by dozens of Jewish settlers, warning of the potential repercussions of such “provocative” acts.

In a statement, the mufti urged the international community to “confront Israeli attempts to violate Islamic holy places and historic sites, which provoke the feelings of Arab and Muslim nations.”

Earlier on Wednesday, at least 60 Jewish settlers, backed by hundreds of Israeli army troops, stormed the mosque complex, according to World Bulletin report monitored by Mi’raj News Agency (MINA).

The move came after extremist Jewish groups announced plans to storm the complex on Wednesday to mark the Jewish New Year.

One day earlier, the Islamic Movement in Israel had called on all Muslims in Israeli-occupied territories to protect the Muslim holy site from the depredations of extremist Jewish settlers.

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Allam also condemned a decision by Israeli authorities to build a large wooden prayer platform in response to demands by the “Women of the Wall,” a Jewish activist group calling for equal prayer rights at what Israelis call the “Temple Mount.”

“The building of such a platform constitutes a blatant, irresponsible violation of Islamic historic sites,” the mufti asserted in his statement.

Jewish new year

Jewish people living in Israel will celebrate tonight as “Rosh Hashanah” (Jewish New Year), the first and second days of the new Jewish year of 5774.

“Rosh Hashanah” marks the first day of the new year according to the Jewish calendar, felicitated with ceremonies like special prayers at synagogues and blowing into the shofar horn, the symbol of the Rosh Hashanah holiday.

This year, the 5774th Jewish year, Rosh Hashanah begins on the evening of Wednesday September 4, 2013, and continues through the night of Friday September 6, 2013. The Israeli state has announced it as an official holiday until Sunday.

Among the Rosh Hashanah customs are the sounding of the shofar, a hollowed-out ram’s horn, and the eating of symbolic foods such as apples dipped in honey to evoke a “sweet new year.”

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According to the Jewish faith, the day is the anniversary of the creation of Adam and Eve, the first man and woman, and their first actions toward the realization of mankind’s role in God’s world.

On Rosh Hashanah, God “opens’ the ‘books’ of judgment” of creation and all mankind, the books in which what had been decreed had first been “written,” hence the emphasis on the “ketiva” (writing).

The “judgement” is then “pending” and prayers and repentance are required.

Then on Yom Kippur, the judgment is “sealed” or confirmed (i.e. by the Heavenly Court), hence the emphasis is on the word “chatima” (sealed). But the Heavenly verdict is still not final due to the chance and positive expectation that there is hope until Sukkot concludes that God will deliver a final positive and favorable judgment, hence the use of “gmar” (end) that is “tov” (good).

On the eve of Rosh Hashanah, Jewish people in Jerusalem go to the Wailing Wall before dawn to jointly cite religious poems, and those outside Jerusalem go to synagogues.

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During the day, Jewish people never sleep but go near water or a river in the afternoon and shake off their pockets so as to be cleared of the sins they committed the previous year.

Rosh Hashanah meals include apples and honey to symbolize a “sweet new year,” while other foods with a symbolic meaning may be served depending on local custom, such as the head of a fish or lamb to symbolize the “head” of the year and to always be the “head.”

Israeli population hits 8.081 million

The Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics published on Monday that Israel’s population stood at 8.081 million people as of New Year’s Eve 5773, approximately 6.066 million of them being Jews.

As of the the eve of Rosh Hashana 5773, data indicates that 75.1% of the population is constituted of Jews, 20.7% of Israeli Arabs, and 4.2% of “others.” (T/P02/E1)

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)