Mufti’s consultant denies Israel’s security

The Egyptian Grand Mufti’s media consultant, Ibrahim Nagm, has denied earlier Israeli statements, which claimed that the Mufti’s visit to the al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem last Friday was arranged and secured by the Israeli state. Arabstoday obtained a copy of his statements in which he refuted the allegations which he said were aimed at distorting the Mufti's image. Nagm said that the visit was coordinated by the Jordanian authorities, and that the Mufti’s car had not been stopped at any point as reported, as well as pointing out that the visit was secured by the guards of the King of  Jordan. The Mufti was accompanied by Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad, who is the personal consultant to King Abdullah II.   The Mufti’s consultant stressed that the visit was not a diplomatic rapprochement visit, but was aimed to revive the notion of Jerusalem and the al-Aqsa mosque in the minds of Muslims. Nagm, also commented on the protest rally that had been organised beforehand, saying that he respects peaceful demonstrations, provided they are organised within a legal framework. However, he concluded by saying that he rejects personal abuse directed towards the Grand Mufti, as well as the negative amplification of his visit. Israeli media, including the army radio, said that the visit was conducted  with the full coordination of the Israeli army, which carried out logistical and organisational procedures beforehand. As a result of the visit, the Egyptian parliament has demanded that the Grand Mufti resign.