Royal Directives: Work commences to renew carpets of Jerusalem mosques

AMMAN — Work has commenced to renew the carpets of the Dome of the Rock Mosque and Al Qibli Mosque at Al Aqsa Mosque at the expense of His Majesty King Abdullah, the Custodian of the Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, Royal Court Chief Yousef Issawi announced on Saturday.

Issawi also announced the Royal initiative to provide carpets for mosques in various areas across the Kingdom, as part of His Majesty’s keenness to care, maintain and construct mosques, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.  

Issawi’s remarks came during a ceremony to hand over financial support to beneficiaries of makruma (Royal benefaction) for imams and preachers willing to get married, where the ceremony was held at King Hussein Bin Talal Mosque in conjunction with the Al Israa wal Miraj occasion.

Issawi, who is also head of the follow-up committee for the implementation of the Royal initiatives, said that the mosques’ initiative began with the Abu Nuseir Grand Mosque and will later continue to other mosques through coordination with the Awqaf Ministry and the department to follow up on the implementation of the Royal initiatives at the Royal Hashemite Court. 

The initiative includes 76 mosques nationwide, which will be provided with carpet to cover a total area of 34,000 square metres, while the total area to be furnished at the Dome of the Rock Mosque and Al Qibli Mosque at Al Aqsa Mosque is to reach 8,000 square metres.

One of the Hashemite reconstruction projects during the reign of King Abdullah is the remaking of Al Aqsa Mosque Minber (Saladin Minbar) and the renovation of the southern and eastern walls of Al Aqsa Mosque, in addition to renovating the artworks in various facilities of the Dome of the Rock Mosque, where these mosaic walls are considered “treasures” of the Islamic art that dates back to the Umayyad age. 

Issawi conveyed His Majesty’s greetings to imams and preachers and his pride in their efforts and King Abdullah’s keenness to enable them to do their duties in serving mosques and directing society towards good behaviours. 

This makruma for imams and preachers willing to get married, which so far benefited 556 imams and preachers, is a gesture of appreciation from His Majesty to their important role in spreading the values of Islam and defending its moderate image and principles. 

Awqaf Minister Mohammad Khalaileh said that this makruma embodies His Majesty’s care for imams and preachers and appreciation for their efforts in spreading the true image of Islam. 

In remarks to Petra, Director General of the Jerusalem Awqaf and Al Aqsa Mosque Affairs Sheikh Mohammed Azzam Al Ahmad praised King Abdullah’s continuous efforts to care for the affairs of the Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, in his capacity as custodians over these holy places.