Holy places – Israel measures – Letter from Jordan

Letter dated 4 April 1988 from the Permanent Representative of

Jordan to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General

I have the honour to transmit herewith a letter addressed to you from Mr. Abdel-Aziz al-Khayat, Minister of Waqfs and Islamic Affairs, concerning a further flagrant attack on the great Al-Aqsa Mosque, first kiblah and third holy place of Islam.

I should be grateful if you would have this letter and its annex circulated as a document of the General Assembly under item 77 of the preliminary list, and of the Security Counci1.

___________

* Reissued for technical reasons.

** A/43/50.

ANNEX

Letter dated 3 April 1988 from the Minister of Waqfs and Islamic Affairs addressed to the Secretary-General

In a further attempt to undermine the sacred character of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and thus destroy it, Judaize it and erect on its ruins the so-called "Temple", the Supreme Court of the Zionist occupation authorities, using as a pretext the widespread uprising launched by the heroic population of the occupied territories against the fiercest racist offensive of contemporary history, has adopted a decision authorizing the so-called "Faithful of the Temple Mount" to pray in the area around the Mosque.

This further flagrant attack on the first kiblah and third holy place of Islam is a provocation for the Muslims and all peace-loving people in the world.

I would emphasize that this decision goes against all the laws in force since 1924, including those relating to the holy places. It also represents a violation of the universally recognized international rules governing relations between States, which are respected by all countries of the civilized world, and of the resolutions of the United Nations and its various bodies.

The repeated attacks on the Islamic sanctuary, which are part of a plan aimed at developing a place of prayer for Jews and building a synagogue there, serve to highlight the threat that menaces the holy places and is a prelude to the grave dangers which the region may experience in the future.

We strongly denounce these acts and urge you to take the necessary steps to put an end to such attacks on the Islamic holy places and the inhuman treatment experienced by the population of the occupied territories.