Former Waqf Leader Breaks With Muslim Views On Historicity Of Jewish Temples

WoldNetDaily reported Wednesday on an interview with a former senior leader of the Waqf-- the Islamic custodians of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem who have elaborate arrangements with the Israeli government to govern the site. He revealed that he has come to believe that the First and Second Jewish Temples existed at the current location of the Al Aqsa Mosque-- a fact that is hardly newsworthy to Western scholars and archeologists, but which contradicts statements that have long been made in much of the Muslim world. The leader being interviewed-- who insisted that his name not be published-- was dismissed from his Waqf position after he quietly made his beliefs known. He says that Muslim denial of the existence of the Temples is political and not rooted in historical fact. The Palestinian Authority's Office for Religious Affairs claims that the Temple Mount is Muslim property, and that the Western Wall was where Muhammed tied his horse before ascending to heaven. The Temple Mount was open to the general public until September 2000, when the Palestinians started the first intifada. It was reopened to non-Muslims in August 2003. Waqf agents watch tours closely and alert nearby Israeli police to any rule violations.