The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned reported plans pursued by Israeli and U.S. officials, as well as Jared Kushner, to strip Jordan of its historic custodianship over the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied Jerusalem in an attempt to end Muslim leadership over the holy site.
CAIR also called on the Trump administration to address the reporting and disavow any such “dangerous and illegal” plans.
According to media reports, discussions are underway to transfer oversight of the holy site away from Jordan despite its internationally-recognized custodial role.
In a statement, Washington, D.C.-based CAIR said:
“Any attempt to further strip Al-Aqsa Mosque of its religious character would be illegal, dangerous and an affront to nearly two billion Muslims around the world. Key members of the Israeli government have made no secret of the fact that they wish to up end the status quo and would, if they could, destroy the Al-Aqsa compound.
“The Israeli apartheid government’s attacks on religious institutions and its denial of Muslim and Christian religious rights are completely out of control. The international community must reject any effort to erode protections for Palestinian religious sites or diminish the rights of worshippers in occupied Jerusalem.”
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com