Jews are barred from praying at the Al Aqsa Mosque complex under a 'status quo' agreement, although they can visit. Reuters
Jews are barred from praying at the Al Aqsa Mosque complex under a 'status quo' agreement, although they can visit. Reuters
Jews are barred from praying at the Al Aqsa Mosque complex under a 'status quo' agreement, although they can visit. Reuters
Jews are barred from praying at the Al Aqsa Mosque complex under a 'status quo' agreement, although they can visit. Reuters

Muslim Elders join UAE in condemning Ben-Gvir's comments on synagogue at Al Aqsa


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The UAE, Egypt and the Muslim Council of Elders led condemnation of Israel’s National Security Minister yesterday after he said he would build a synagogue in Al Aqsa Mosque compound if he could.

Itamar Ben-Gvir claimed on Monday that Jews had the right to pray on the complex in East Jerusalem. "If I could do anything I wanted, I would put an Israeli flag on the site," Mr Ben-Gvir told Israel's Army Radio, and said "yes" when asked whether he would build a synagogue there.

Al Aqsa Mosque is considered the third-holiest site in Islam after Makkah and Madinah.

The Muslim Council of Elders which brings together Muslim leaders from across the world to promote peace, said Mr Ben-Gvir's statement was a "blatant provocation to the feelings of Muslims" and against international law.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir pictured during a previous tour of the Al Aqsa compound. EPA
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir pictured during a previous tour of the Al Aqsa compound. EPA

The UAE, in a statement carried by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, "condemned and denounced in the strongest terms" the minister's comments and stressed “the need for Israel to respect the historical and legal status quo in Jerusalem and not to tamper with it”. It also reaffirmed its position on the “need to provide full protection for Al Aqsa Mosque and stop serious and provocative violations”.

Egypt said comments such as Mr Ben-Gvir's complicate the situation in the Palestinian territories and obstruct efforts towards a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. More than 40,400 people have been killed in the Israeli bombardment of the strip, which began in October in response to a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel.

Al Aqsa compound sits inside occupied East Jerusalem and access to the site operates on a "status quo" arrangement, whereby Jews are allowed to visit but are barred from prayer at the site.

Jordan's Foreign Ministry, the custodian of Muslim holy sites in Jerusalem including Al Aqsa Mosque, said Monday's statement was "a violation of international law and an unacceptable incitement that requires a clear international position to condemn and confront it".

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office restated his country's official position, which accepts decades-old rules restricting non-Muslim prayer at the mosque compound, which Jews revere as the site of two ancient temples.

Mr Ben-Gvir has long played agitator at the Al Aqsa complex, regularly turning up to the site with illegal settlers to storm it. This month he accompanied 1,000 Israeli settlers with security forces to pray there.

Israel's education and defence ministers criticised his behaviour.

Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
  • Priority access to new homes from participating developers
  • Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
  • Flexible payment plans from developers
  • Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
  • DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
SHAITTAN
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The rules of the road keeping cyclists safe

Cyclists must wear a helmet, arm and knee pads

Have a white front-light and a back red-light on their bike

They must place a number plate with reflective light to the back of the bike to alert road-users

Avoid carrying weights that could cause the bike to lose balance

They must cycle on designated lanes and areas and ride safe on pavements to avoid bumping into pedestrians

21 Lessons for the 21st Century

Yuval Noah Harari, Jonathan Cape
 

The specs
  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
  • Power: 640hp
  • Torque: 760nm
  • On sale: 2026
  • Price: Not announced yet
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The White Lotus: Season three

Creator: Mike White

Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell

Rating: 4.5/5

What is the Supreme Petroleum Council?

The Abu Dhabi Supreme Petroleum Council was established in 1988 and is the highest governing body in Abu Dhabi’s oil and gas industry. The council formulates, oversees and executes the emirate’s petroleum-related policies. It also approves the allocation of capital spending across state-owned Adnoc’s upstream, downstream and midstream operations and functions as the company’s board of directors. The SPC’s mandate is also required for auctioning oil and gas concessions in Abu Dhabi and for awarding blocks to international oil companies. The council is chaired by Sheikh Khalifa, the President and Ruler of Abu Dhabi while Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, is the vice chairman.

The specs

Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo flat-six

Power: 650hp at 6,750rpm

Torque: 800Nm from 2,500-4,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto

Fuel consumption: 11.12L/100km

Price: From Dh796,600

On sale: now

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What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

Specs

Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric

Range: Up to 610km

Power: 905hp

Torque: 985Nm

Price: From Dh439,000

Available: Now

GAC GS8 Specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh149,900

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
 
Started: 2021
 
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
 
Based: Tunisia 
 
Sector: Water technology 
 
Number of staff: 22 
 
Investment raised: $4 million 
Company%20profile
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Schedule:

Pakistan v Sri Lanka:
28 Sep-2 Oct, 1st Test, Abu Dhabi
6-10 Oct, 2nd Test (day-night), Dubai
13 Oct, 1st ODI, Dubai
16 Oct, 2nd ODI, Abu Dhabi
18 Oct, 3rd ODI, Abu Dhabi
20 Oct, 4th ODI, Sharjah
23 Oct, 5th ODI, Sharjah
26 Oct, 1st T20I, Abu Dhabi
27 Oct, 2nd T20I, Abu Dhabi
29 Oct, 3rd T20I, Lahore

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

UAE v Gibraltar

What: International friendly

When: 7pm kick off

Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City

Admission: Free

Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page

UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)

COMPANY%20PROFILE
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh117,059

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Updated: August 27, 2024, 6:12 PM`