Arab-Israelis encouraged to marry in Aqsa Mosque

A Palestinian heritage association launched a project to encourage Arab-Israelis to hold their marriage ceremonies in Jerusalem’s al-Aqsa Mosque as part of its plan to fight perceived Israeli attempts at erasing the identity of its Arab citizens.

“This project aims at ensuring that al-Aqsa is always full of worshippers in order to assert the importance of the mosque and to counter Israeli violations and occupation,” association chairman Hekmat Naamna told AlArabiya.net.

Naamna explained that since marriage is one of the most important events in anyone’s life, holding the ceremony in al-Aqsa would highlight the importance of the mosque and help bring a sense of blessing to one’s life.

“The Aqsa Mosque is a holy place with a special importance in the entire Muslim world and couples will be blessed if they hold their marriage ceremony in it. It is a source of pride for them.”

The association, Naamna added, encourages couples to marry in al-Aqsa through offering a variety of facilities for the bride and groom as well as the invitees.

“For each ceremony, we make available two buses that take the couple and the guests to the mosque, we coordinate with the marriage registrar, and handle photographs and media coverage.”

The association also gives each couple a gift and a trophy and invites public figures to the ceremony.

“We do our best to attract couples, yet we know that the value of the place is enough to encourage them. The mosque is a source of blessing inside and outside Palestine.”
Ahmed Abul-Houf, from the village of Deir Hanna in Galilee in northern Israel, was one of the first youths to respond to the association’s project and marry in al-Aqsa mosque.

“I wanted my love for al-Aqsa and my solidarity with its cause to turn from words into action,” he told AlArabiya. “I married there to take part in protecting the mosque.”

In addition to preserving a heritage threatened by the Israeli occupation, Abul Houf wanted to set an example for other soon-to-be-married youths.

“People saw how amazing it is to hold the ceremony in al-Aqsa and many couples liked the idea and decided to follow suit.”

This project aims at making sure al-Aqsa is always full of worshippers in order to assert the importance of the mosque and to counter Israeli violations and occupation

Association for the Preservation of al-Aqsa and Holy Sites Chairman Hekmat Naamna

Tinge of sadness

Despite what he described as an “amazing experience,” Abul Houf admitted that the happy occasion has a tinge of sadness.

“It was a happy celebration but the mosque is enveloped in sadness because of the occupation. I hope these marriages will bring to it the happiness of which it was deprived.”

The sadness inspired by the occupation should not discourage couples from holding their marriage ceremonies in al-Aqsa, Abul Houf pointed out.

“I tell each man and woman about to get married not to hesitate in doing so in al-Aqsa Mosque,” he concluded.

(Translated from the Arabic by Sonia Farid).

wanted my love for al-Aqsa and my solidarity with its cause to turn from words into action

Ahmed Abul-Houf from Galilee