Time: August 21, 1969.
The perpetrator: an Australian Zionist named Dennis Michael.
Extinguishing the fire: The occupation cut off water to the Al-Qibli prayer hall and its surroundings, so the Palestinians rushed to put out the fire with their clothes and water located in the wells of Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Damage: The fire broke out in the eastern wing of the Al-Qibli prayer hall, and the fire destroyed the facades of the prayer hall, its roof, its carpets, its decorations, and its contents. The pulpit of the historic mosque, which Salah Eldin Al-Ayyubi brought when he conquered Jerusalem in 1187 from the city of Aleppo, burned.
Restoration: One year after the fire, restoration work began with the formation of the Al-Aqsa Mosque Reconstruction Committee.
The Zionist, Dennis Michael, used gasoline and kerosene, which he poured on a scarf he had with him, and then set it on fire, which spread until it consumed Saladin Al-Ayyubi’s pulpit and Mehrab, mosaics, and historical decorations.
It is reported that the fire continued to burn for more than 21 hours, and the people of Jerusalem tried to extinguish it. The fire was started using simple primitive tools, but at that time the occupation authorities cut off the water to Al-Aqsa Mosque and its surroundings and prevented fire engines from arriving to extinguish the raging fire.
Following this incident, the Prime Minister of the Zionist occupation at that time, Golda Meir, expected the crushing and burning Israel, and there is a saying that was circulated after the crime, where she said: "When Al-Aqsa was burned, I did not sleep that night, and I thought that Israel would be crushed, but in the morning, I realized that the Arabs are in a deep slumber."
Her statement indeed seems to agree with the Arab incapacity and international silence towards the crime since its occurrence until today, and the resulting repercussions include condemnations, denunciations, and statements that have not changed the reality at all.
Despite the establishment of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, which includes Arab and Islamic countries, it has not made any significant progress worth mentioning in supporting Al-Aqsa Mosque, the first of the two Qiblas, and the third of the two Holy Mosques and the Prophet's ascension, peace be upon him.
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