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Israeli decision to halt work on Nazareth mosque faces challenge
2002-013-2
1/17/2002
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[Episcopal News Service]
A recent decision by the Israeli government to halt construction of a mosque next to a major Christian holy site in Nazareth will be challenged by Muslim groups.
In defiance of a court ruling, work began on the mosque near the Basilica of the Annunciation, the site where tradition says the Angel Gabriel told the Virgin Mary she would give birth to Jesus. The mosque is intended to mark the burial place of a nephew of Saladin, the 12th century military hero who defeated the Christian crusaders at Jerusalem.
The deputy mayor of Nazareth, Salman Abu Ahmed, said that the Israelis were guilty of the 'miserable persecution of Muslims,' charging that the decision amounted to a 'declaration of war' on Muslims in Israel. 'The government and church leaders will pay the consequences for what could happen,' he said. 'We know how to struggle. We've waited many years for this mosque and we are ready to wait many more, but we will never give up our right to build the mosque on this site.'
Abu Ahmed accused Christian leaders, including Pope John Paul II, of pressuring the Israelis to withdraw permission to build the mosque. 'There are no problems between Christians and Muslims in Nazareth,' he said in expressing surprise at the opposition.
The Rev. Ray Lockhart, an Anglican vicar of Jerusalem's Christ Church and president of the United Christian Council in Israel, applauded the decision. But he also stressed the need for vigilance to prevent construction near the basilica from being renewed. Israeli government officials reportedly favor building a larger mosque on an alternate site.
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