An Israeli minister raised fears on Sunday about the possible collapse of part of the Al Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem during the Muslim holy month of Ramazan which begins next month.
Interior Security Minister Gideon Ezra said work to strengthen the mosque plaza, the third holiest site in Islam, should start immediately or Israel would limit access during Ramazan for safety reasons.
During the month-long festival which starts around mid-October, more than 200,000 worshippers are expected to visit the Al Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem's Old City in the eastern sector, which was occupied and annexed by Israel in 1967.
Ezra told Israeli public radio that work was needed to strengthen the underground Solomon's Stables section of the mosque "because the roof of this structure is at risk of collapsing under the weight of the worshippers who will assemble there during the Ramazan.
"Israel cannot take such a risk," he said.
"It is necessary to build pillars to support the southern wall of this structure and if this doesn't happen, the police will limit access to the mosque compound during Ramazan."
Public radio said it was Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon himself who personally ordered the measures in order to prevent a tragedy at the compound, which was recently weakened by an earthquake.
The mosque compound, which is called al-Haram al-Sharif (Noble Sanctuary) by Muslims, shelters the Dome of the Rock (Omar Mosque) and the Al-Aqsa Mosque. The site is also revered by Jews as it was once the site of the Jewish temple, the holiest shrine in Judaism, which was destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD.
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