JERUSALEM, June 19, 2018 (WAFA) – Israeli police is trying to slowly take control of al-Aqsa Mosque, Islamic Institutions in Jerusalem said on Tuesday in a statement.

The Waqf Council, the Supreme Islamic Committee and the Islamic Endowments Department in Jerusalem said in a joint statement that once the holy month of Ramadan was over, Israeli police has been trying to prevent al-Aqsa Mosque guards from performing their duties as they aspire to take control of the eastern parts of the Mosque compound, including the closed Bab al-Rahmeh, also known as the Golden Gate.

It also stressed that al-Aqsa Mosque, one of the main holy mosques in Islam, will not be given up and that Muslims, represented by the Waqf (endowment) department are the ones who should solely be in charge of Al-Aqsa affairs.

The statement added that al-Aqsa guards are a part of the Waqf and their duty is to protect the mosque and all of its facilities.

The Islamic Institutions emphasized their rejection of changing the status quo that existed at Al-Aqsa Mosque since the occupation of Jerusalem in 1967, stressing their rejection of Israeli interference of any kind in its administrations.

K.T./M.K.