Ramallah: A top Israeli court has ruled in favour of Israeli colonists who want to use traditional shofar horns during specific Jewish religious celebrations inside the halls of Al Haram Al Sharif.
The shofar is traditionally a ram’s horn but it can be the horn of any kosher animal with the exception of a bull. It produces a very loud and unique sound. For several decades, Jews have been trying to perform this particular ritual inside Al Haram Al Sharif, but the resistance of the Palestinian protectors known as the Al Murabiteen, as well as pressure from the Palestinian and Jordanian leadership has prevented such attempts.
Mazen Abu Qalbain, a spokesman for Al Murabiteen at Al Haram Al Sharif said that Jews wish to mimic Muslims in their call to prayer as well as Christians with their church bells. To them, sounding the shofar will assert their sovereignty over Al Haram Al Sharif. Jews believe when they sound the shofar seven times a miracle will occur.
The move is sure to provoke Muslim worshippers inside Al Haram Al Sharif who feel that their holy site is being infiltrated by radical Jewish elements for political purposes.
Several Palestinian institutions and human rights groups have coordinated efforts to appeal against he court’s ruling, reasoning that allowing the horns inside Al Haram Al Sharif will spark a serious escalation of clashes.
