Key Coptic cleric slams Israel's plans over Aqsa Mosque

Pope Shenouda III of Alexandria and Patriarch of Saint Mark's Diocese warned Israel against tampering with Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, highlighting its sanctity for the Muslim world. Referreing to Israel's attempt to revive the so-called Mount Temple under al Aqsa Mosque, Islam's third holiest site Pope Shenouda said, "If Jews want to rebuild it, why should they insist on reconstructing beneath Al Aqsa Mosque?".

Pope Shenouda urged Arabs to thoroughly examine books already published on Jewish bids to rebuild the temple.