Patriarch Theophilos III: The attack on Al-Aqsa Compound and its worshipers is a flagrant violation of the rights to exercise freedom of worship

His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III, Patriarch of the Holy City of Jerusalem, affirmed that the Temple Mount – Al-Haram Al-Sharif and its’ Al-Aqsa Compound – is the exclusive right and property of Muslims, and that attacking this sacred place or the right of Muslims to freely pray there is an attack on freedom of worship, as guaranteed by international laws, charters and human morals.

His Beatitude condemned the attempts of radical groups to provoke Muslims and Christians through continuous attacks and incitement on the Al-Haram Al-Sharif, considering that any visit to the Al-Haram Al-Sharif that is not approved by the Islamic Endowments Department is considered an intrusion that must stop.

His Beatitude praised the role of His Majesty King Abdullah II, the Hashemite custodian over the Islamic and Christian holy sites in the Holy Land, in defending the holy sites and His Majesty’s constant endeavour to preserve them from the attacks and greed of those radical groups. His Beatitude also expressed his appreciation for the efforts made by Palestinian President Abu-Mazen, and the Supreme Presidential Committee for Church Affairs in Palestine to raise awareness about the practices of the radical groups and their attacks on Islamic and Christian sanctities.