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Muslim worshipers pray at the site of the proposed mosque outside the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth. (AP)
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| By Ellis Shuman March 4, 2002 |
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Israel's cabinet decided Sunday to halt construction of the Shahib al-Din mosque near the Basilica of the Annunciation church in Nazareth. The government based its decision on the recommendation of a special ministerial committee led by Minister of Construction and Housing Natan Sharansky, and suggested to the Nazareth Waqf (Muslim religious trust) alternative locations for construction of the proposed mosque.
The cabinet's decision overturned policies of previous governments approving construction of a small mosque at the site considered by Muslims as the gravesite of Shahib al-Din - a nephew of Saladin, the Muslim commander who led the army that defeated the Crusaders in 1187. The construction of the mosque in close proximity to the church led to tensions with Christian leaders, who believe the site marks the location where the Angel Gabriel foretold the birth of Jesus.
Sharansky said two main reasons led to his committee's
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"This is a declaration of war on the Arab community"
- MK Abdulmalik Dehamshe
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recommendation to ban the mosque's construction. He said that Muslim leaders had not honored previous agreements regarding the size of the proposed mosque and had antagonized Christian pilgrims arriving in Nazareth. In addition, Sharansky noted the united opposition of the worldwide Christian community.
"We have an obligation to safeguard the holy places and protect the rights of minorities and their freedom of religion," Sharansky said in defense of his recommendation to protect the Nazareth church.
The government offered the Waqf seven alternative locations available for immediate building. The government promised to restore Shahib a-Din's grave, without altering the status of the site. In addition, the government called for implementation of the Nazareth Municipality's original plan, prepared in advance of the Pope's visit in 2000, to turn the disputed square alongside the church into an open plaza for tourists.
"It is too bad that Sharon's government sacrificed the Muslims on the altar of the Vatican and Christianity," said Salman Abu Ahmed, head of the Islamic Movement in Nazareth and the city's deputy mayor. "We will continue to pray at the spot. How is it possible to suggest alternative locations? Would the Jews agree to move the Western Wall from its place?"
"This is a declaration of war on the Arab community in Israel," said MK Abdulmalik Dehamshe (United Arab List). "This mosque will be built, but beforehand there will be terrible days ahead."
Police forces went on alert for possible disturbances in Nazareth, but so far the city has remained quiet. The government's decision is apparently acceptable, at least initially, to most of the city's Muslim's population, Maariv reported.
Following the decision to ban the mosque's construction near the Nazareth church, dialogue between the government of Israel and the Vatican was restored. Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Michael Melchior was invited to Rome to meet with Pope John Paul II and other Vatican leaders.
"This is a very wise and brave decision," declared Father Pierbattista Pizzaballa, spokesman for the Catholic Church in Israel. "We understand the situation and know it wasn't easy to reach this decision. We hope that the Muslim community will eventually understand this decision, and that we can resume living in Nazareth in coexistence, peace, and mutual understanding between Christians and Muslims.
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