Early June 2012...
One of the days, a few Israeli soldiers climbed up the Al-Aqsa Mosque and raised the Israeli flag. This move was condemned by most of the Palestinian leaders including the grand mufti. We attended a press conference and filmed the events on that occasion.
Prior to that, I tried entering into the Dome of the Rock, believed by Muslims to be the site where Prophet Muhammed ascended to heaven. A couple of Palestinians who had worked in Bangalore were standing outside told me it'd be safe to enter and see. "In case they ask you, just say your name is 'Ahmed' or 'Mohammed'". I assumed that'll be easy. I stepped close to the entrance of the dome started removing my shoes. "Muslim?", the guard asked. "Ya, ya... Muslim... Ahmed!" I said. "Passport please..." he retorted. This was a shock, even thought I had my passport in my pocket, I didn't want to reveal my Hindu identity. I pretended to be searching for it in my pocket and told him I left it at home. "Ok start reciting the Quran... Bismillah ir-rahman ir-rahim... continue..." I knew very little about the quran and there were 30 people standing around staring at me. "I'll take a few photographs outside and come back later!", I said and quietly slipped away!
Later on I realized that this was the same morning some of the soldiers climbed the Al-Aqsa mosque and raised the Israeli flag. The guards of the Dome of the Rock became suspicious with whoever came there later on!
One of the days, a few Israeli soldiers climbed up the Al-Aqsa Mosque and raised the Israeli flag. This move was condemned by most of the Palestinian leaders including the grand mufti. We attended a press conference and filmed the events on that occasion.
Prior to that, I tried entering into the Dome of the Rock, believed by Muslims to be the site where Prophet Muhammed ascended to heaven. A couple of Palestinians who had worked in Bangalore were standing outside told me it'd be safe to enter and see. "In case they ask you, just say your name is 'Ahmed' or 'Mohammed'". I assumed that'll be easy. I stepped close to the entrance of the dome started removing my shoes. "Muslim?", the guard asked. "Ya, ya... Muslim... Ahmed!" I said. "Passport please..." he retorted. This was a shock, even thought I had my passport in my pocket, I didn't want to reveal my Hindu identity. I pretended to be searching for it in my pocket and told him I left it at home. "Ok start reciting the Quran... Bismillah ir-rahman ir-rahim... continue..." I knew very little about the quran and there were 30 people standing around staring at me. "I'll take a few photographs outside and come back later!", I said and quietly slipped away!
Later on I realized that this was the same morning some of the soldiers climbed the Al-Aqsa mosque and raised the Israeli flag. The guards of the Dome of the Rock became suspicious with whoever came there later on!
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| The Dome of the Rock |
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| Al-Aqsa compound with the mosque in the foreground |
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