Israel opens cafe over Muslim cemetry in Quds

Israeli municipality in the occupied al-Quds ('Jerusalem') opened a café over Mamilla Muslim historical cemetery in the occupied city after a delay that lasted for a few weeks.

A delegation of al-Aqsa Foundation for endowment and Heritage who visited the cemetery on Sunday revealed that the café fits for over one hundred persons and sells food and drinks including wines during day and night and it officially started its work on Sunday.

Nir Barakat, Zionist Mayor of the city, opined that establishing the café over the Muslim Mamilla cemetery is one of the most important achievements of the municipality in recent years.

The café is built over the lands of the cemetery in the part which was transformed into a park given the name “Independence Park” within the policy of Judaization of the cemetery.

The Aqsa Foundation strongly condemned the news, perceiving it as a violation against the sanctity of the Muslim cemetery.

It disclosed that the area of the cemetery exceeds two hundred dunums and that it is a historic cemetery that dates back to more than 1400 years.  It also revealed that a number of the companions of Hazrat Mohammad (peace be upon him) were buried in Mamilla cemetery.

The historical cemetery has been subjected to Israeli violations as large parts of its area were used for the establishment of hotels and public parks.

The Foundation also revealed that opening the café is a new offensive action following the establishment of what is called “Forgiveness Museum” over Muslims' tombs. An area of 20 dunums has only remained as a Muslim cemetery. However, it is also being violated by Israeli daily offensive practices.