Supporters believe the visit is consolidating the concept of the Arabism of al-Quds (Jerusalem) while opponents think it lends legitimacy to the “Zionist entity” that allows entry into the holy city only after it puts its seal on passports and entry visas. The second team stressed support for the position by the Azhar and the Egyptian church not to visit Jerusalem before it is liberated from the “usurping Zionists”.

“I support the Muftī’s visit to Jerusalem because it will draw the world’s attention to the rights of Muslims and Arabs to the city and the blessed al-Aqsá Mosque and will also set right a some Jewish and Zionist misconceptions planted in the global public opinion that Jerusalem was a capital of Israel,” said Dr. Muhammad al-Shahāt al-Jindī, a member of the Azhar’s Islamic Research Academy.

Dr. ‘Abd al-Mu’tī Bayūmī, a member of the Academy, however, termed the visit as “sad and deplorable,” adding, “it is a disgrace for any Muslim or Christian to visit Jerusalem under the Israeli flag because it would simply be considered a recognition that the city is under Zionist occupation”. [Ahmad ‘Abd al-Fattāh and Nādir Abū al-Futūh, al-Ahrām, April 19, p. 13] Read original text in Arabic

[Reviewer’s Note: A report of the same content was mentioned in al-Shurūq al-Jadīd, April 19, p. 1]