We, the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem, gather in spirit with heavy hearts and profound concern to address the lamentable events that have unfolded upon the grounds of the Al-Aqsa Mosque/Al-Haram Al-Sharif on this solemn day, the twenty-seventh of July. We bear witness to the intrusion by Israeli radicals, a grievous violation that strikes at the very core of the sanctity of Jerusalem, the City of Peace.
As spiritual shepherds in this venerable land, we are bound by duty to uphold the sanctity of all holy sites. Amongst them, Al-Aqsa Mosque/Al-Haram Al-Sharif, entrusted to the exclusive right of our Muslim brethren, and held under the reverent custodianship of the Hashemites, in harmony with the rest of the Christian an and Muslim holy sites.
With profound dismay, we witness the erosion of safety for Muslim worshipers and the affront to the dignity of the Palestinian people, whose freedom to worship is being unjustly constrained. Such actions transgress the principles of peace, love, and compassion that are the very essence of our faith.
Jerusalem, the Holy City, is a tapestry woven with the threads of sacred history, each strand contributing to the rich fabric of its spiritual significance. The Status Quo, which has preserved its distinctive ve character over the years, must be cherished and safeguarded by all parties involved. It is imperative to recognize the fragile equilibrium that exists in this sacred space and refrain from actions that would disturb its delicate balance.
The escalating tension, fueled by the extremist inclinations of certain Israeli right-wing factions, threatens to shatter the already precarious reality in and around Jerusalem. We call upon the International onal Community and all those of virtuous intent to heed our plea, to intervene with wisdom and reason, and to exert every effort in putting an immediate end to these provocations that mar the sanctity of the Holy City.
Let us, as spiritual leaders and believers in the transcendent power of prayer, continue nue to implore the Almighty for the peace of Jerusalem. May our hearts unite in solemn harmony, beseeching the divine grace to envelop this revered land with the balm of tranquility, justice, and coexistence.
We reaffirm our steadfast respect and support for the exclusive right of Muslims to Al-Aqsa Mosque/Al-Haram Al-Sharif and its revered place under the Hashemite custodianship. Let the beacon of peace and brotherly love shine forth from the Holy City, guiding us all towards the path of understanding, reconciliation, and enduring justice and peace.
—The Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem
