The minister of awqaf and Islamic affairs stressed on Sunday that 55 surveillance cameras will be installed in and around Al Haram Al Sharif compound, which houses Al Aqsa Mosque, in East Jerusalem, to record Israeli violations and excesses against the Islamic holy sites.

The cameras, which will be mounted in the coming few days, will cover 144 dunums through a control room. The Jerusalem Awqaf Department, affiliated with the Ministry of Awqaf, will be in charge of these cameras that will be monitored continuously in an effort to document Israel’s designs on the Islamic holy places.

According to the minister of awqaf, “the objective behind installing these cameras is to document Israeli violations against Islamic holy sites in Jerusalem, and enable the world to follow what is happening in the courtyards of Al Aqsa Mosque around the clock”.

The step, of legal, moral and religions importance for Jordan, will hopefully stem Israeli transgressions at the holy sites.

Extremist Jews from within and without Israel have made it a custom to enter the Islamic areas in East Jerusalem, defying Muslims’ sensitivity and defiling the sanctity of these sites.

Israel systematically denies responsibility for any action against the Muslim holy sites; the cameras will provide proof of violations. Or, as the minister of state for media affairs and government spokesman said, “the cameras will expose any claims or attempts to distort the truth” concerning these religious sanctuaries.

Jordan plays a special role, as custodian and protector of all the holy places in East Jerusalem, and has consistently affirmed that the sanctity of Islamic and Christian shrines is a red line, and that it will utilise all resources at its disposal to safeguard the holy sites.

One hopes the cameras, which will definitely strengthen Jordan’s position in the holy city, will also help frustrate Israeli attempts at appropriating or damaging the religious sites under the Kingdom’s custody.