AMMAN, Sunday, February 24, 2019 (WAFA) – The detention by Israeli occupation forces of two Awqaf officials in Jerusalem is an unacceptable, dangerous escalation, said Abdul-Nasser Abu al-Basal, Jordan‘s Minister of Waqf and Islamic Affairs on Sunday.

In a press statement, he condemned the detention of the Chairman of Awqaf Council in Jerusalem, Sheikh Abdul-Azim Salhab, and the Deputy Director of Awqaf in Jerusalem, Sheikh Najeh Bkerat, warning of its consequences as undermining Jordan’s role as custodian of the Muslim holy places in Jerusalem.

Abu al-Basal called for the immediate release of the two officials who were detained last night during a night raid of their homes in occupied East Jerusalem.

Both Salhab and Bkerat had a leading role in the reopening of the gate to Bab al-Rahma area inside Al-Aqsa Mosque compound on Friday, where thousands of Palestinians performed the Friday Muslim prayer inside it for the first time in 16 years.

Under signed agreements, Jordan is in charge of the holy places in Jerusalem, and Awqaf staff working in Al-Aqsa Mosque are  employees of the Jordanian Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs.

K.T/M.N