JERUSALEM: A violent blaze gutted part of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Eastern Jerusalem today [Aug 21], triggering massive anti-Israeli demonstrations.

Israeli troops were rushed to the scene immediately as tensions rose in the Arab Quarter, and a curfew was clamped on the immediate surroundings. Smoke rose hundreds of feet into the air over the walled city as thousands of Arabs took to the roofs to watch. Israeli Police and soldiers cordoning off the mosque had to fire shots in the air to disperse young Arab protesters who charged in waves.

President Sheikh Hilmi Al-Mukhatasib of the Trust Council told a press conference this afternoon that “an English-speaking foreign youth of fair complexion” fled the mosque shortly before flames broke out. There was no doubt that the fire was deliberate arson. He said the presumed arsonist, who was dressed in khaki, had been sighted by guards during the past three or four days. He was the first to enter the mosque this morning and guards followed him out, but lost trace of him in the alleys of the old city.

“I cannot state whether he was Israeli or Jewish, but I am sure he was a foreigner,” the President said. “He was definitely not an Arab.” — Agency

Published in Dawn, August 22nd, 2019