January 12, 2001 The Temple Mount

The incendiary Mufti Ikrema Sabri, Palestinian leader Yasir Arafat’s top religious leader, declared that all of the 36-acre Mount that Muslims call Haram al-Sharif, or Noble Sanctuary, is Islamic property.

“The whole area of Al Aqsa mosque, including the Western Wall and all the walls is a Muslim area according to Islamic interpretations and none other is allowed to control it or even practice religious rituals on it, or on any part of it,” Mufti Sabri ruled.  “The fact that the Jews are occupying Palestine, its mosques and al-Aqsa mosque does not give them a right to the mosque and they cannot bargain on Muslim rights.”