Press Release: Our Two New Projects in Masjid Al-Aqsa
UK charity Muslim Hands is giving its donors another exciting opportunity to support two new projects to preserve the Blessed Masjid Al-Aqsa. The projects include sponsoring an olive tree on its sacred grounds and renovating its historic cemetery, Bab ar-Rahmah, also known as the ‘Gateway of Mercy’, which is the third most prominent cemetery in the Islamic world.
There are around 700 olive trees in total within the noble sanctuary of Masjid Al-Aqsa that need maintenance and harvesting so that the olives can produce enough olive oil to then be distributed to poor families that live in the surrounding area of East Jerusalem. Each olive tree sponsorship is at an affordable £5 per month. According to the poverty report of the National Insurance Institute, 4 out of 5 of the residents of East Jerusalem live below the poverty line.
The Bab ar-Rahmah cemetery is 11,000 square metres and includes the graves of historical and prominent Muslim figures including Companions of the Prophet (saw), leaders and scholars from the Ottoman times. Muslim Hands plans to renovate the cemetery by repairing the graves, re-paving pathways, and providing maintenance throughout the year. Supporters can donate any minimal amount to £100 for every 5 square metres.
Muslim Hands has been carrying out various restoration work on this historical site since 2008. Some of these works include the installation of the lighting system in the Qibali Masjid as well as the renovation of 48 ablution stations, for both males and females, providing up to 2,000 worshippers to use the facility every hour at Bab al-Asbat.
Yasrab Shah, Muslim Hands Fundraising Director, said:
‘We are extremely honoured as a charity to be able to continue supporting and serving the Blessed Masjid Al-Aqsa, which is the third most important site in the entire Islamic world. With a variety of projects for our donors to choose from, these two new projects are important to continue the traditions of our faith. We hope that our donors find great joy in supporting these projects and we hope that the legacy that is attached to this beautiful and blessed site always prevails’.
