Hundreds of residents of the Old City of Jerusalem's Jewish
Quarter took part last week in a prayer rally in the Churvah
Square. The rally was in protest of attempts by Moslem
extremist elements to renew use of the mosque next to the
Ramban synagogue in the center of the Quarter.
The rally began with mincha and the recitation of
Tehillim. Rav of the Old City, HaRav Avigdor
Nebenzahl, then delivered divrei his'orerus. He
aroused members of community to strengthen their Torah
learning and to be meticulous in the mitzvos between man and
Hashem and man and his fellow.
Following HaRav Nebenzahl's divrei Torah, neighborhood
communal leaders spoke. They explained that the mosque has
been inoperative for approximately 100 years. There is a
written and signed document from the Mufti and the Wakf
stating that following expropriation of the area in the 1967
war, the mosque would not be used. The speakers explained
that the reopening of the mosque is purely for the purpose of
incitement, which is liable to result in bloodshed,
Rachmono litzlan.
Residents of the Jewish Quarter protested the legitimization
given by the mayor to opening of the mosque by the Arabs, as
well as his permitting them to purchase homes in the heart of
the Jewish Quarter. They said that they are bitterly
disappointed in the mayor who does not have the interests of
the Jewish Quarter residents at heart and is insensitive to
their needs. The orderly rally ended with the recitation of
Tehillim.
About a week earlier, police had to halt a procession of
hundreds of Moslems on their way to that mosque for a prayer
service.
The interior has recently been renovated by the Wakf, perhaps
as part of attempts by Moslem elements to gain control of
mosques throughout the country which have been untended for
scores of years.
Israel Police as well as residents of the Jewish Quarter
opposed the renovations. Their claims, however, have been
rejected by the Minister for Jerusalem Affairs, Chaim Ramon.
Last week Jerusalem Mayor Ehud Olmert also stated that the
Arabs have a right to hold their ceremonies in the heart of
the Jewish Quarter.
Residents of the Jewish Quarter regard this as a serious
provocation undermining the delicate fabric of the city. They
claim that this will create an unnecessary point of
contention between Jews and Arabs in the charged, sensitive
area of the Old City.
