OCCUPIED JERUSALEM, August 22, 2005 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) – Marking the 36th anniversary of the burning of Al-Aqsa Mosque, Palestinian scholars and jurists have sounded the alarm against the rise of threats posed by Jewish extremists to the holy mosque.

Al-Quds Chief Justice Tayssir Al-Tamimi said Sunday, August 21, in a statement carried by the London-based Al-Quds Press that Jewish extremists “supported and nourished by the Israeli government” were resolved to destroy Islam’s third holies shrine and Judaize Al-Quds (occupied East Jerusalem).

“Attacks on Al-Aqsa Mosque have taken an upward trajectory recently,” read the statement, which was issued by the Supreme Council of Islamic Judiciary in Al-Quds.

It appealed anew to the Arab and Muslim countries, the Arab League, the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) and relevant bodies to swing into action to protect the mosque.

“We are afraid that the Arab and Muslims would act when it was too late and cry over spilt milk,” the missive added.

“The mosque is part and parcel of the unshakable faith of Muslims worldwide and one of their enshrined rights. Should it be harmed, hell will break loose.”

On August 21, 1969, the mosque was set ablaze, gutting its southern wing –- some 1,500 square meters out of a total of 4,400 -- and destroyed the historical pulpit established by Muslim hero Salahudin Al-Ayyubi.

Palestinians pointed the finger at Jewish extremists and the Israeli government, which claimed that the fire was triggered by a short circuit but later admitted that a man from Australia, who sought refuge in a kibbutz, was found guilty.

The man was set free after receiving psychiatric counseling.

Al-Haram Al-Sharif, which includes Al-Aqsa Mosque, represents the heart of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

Jews claim that their alleged Haykal (Temple of Solomon) exists underneath Al-Haram Al-Sharif which was the first qiblah (direction Muslims take during prayers).

Al-Haram Al-Sharif's significance has been reinforced by the incident of Al-Israa’ and Al-Mi`raj (the night journey from Makkah to Al-Quds and the ascent to the Heavens by Prophet Muhammad "PBUH"). 

Scores of Palestinians have been pouring into the mosque since May to deter supporters of the far-right Jewish groups Revava and the Temple Mount Faithful, who threatened to storm and desecrate the mosque.

Jewish extremists and settlers are further notorious for desecrating other holy Islamic sites in modern-day Israel.

Worshipers found a pig's head in the yard of the Hassan Bek mosque, between Tel Aviv and Jaffa, Friday, August 19.

The Islamic Jihad has vowed to respond to the sacrilege, calling it a “blatant aggression on a holy place and an insult to Muslims worldwide.”

Spokesman Khaled Al-Batch charged that the incident took place under the watchful eye of Israeli occupation troops.

The pig's head was wrapped in a kuffiyeh (traditional Arab scarf) with the word Muhammad written on it in Hebrew.

Rocks have been hurled by Jewish extremists at the mosque recently and windows were broken.