The following is research published today from MEMRI’s Special Dispatch Series. Inquiry & Analysis No. 732—Jordan By: H. Varulkar* Several weeks ago, Israel officially reopened the Qasr Al-Yahoud baptism site on the west bank of the Jordan, near Jericho, which has been largely kept closed since 1967. The site is traditionally believed to be the location of Christ's baptism, and is one of the most important destinations for Christian pilgrims. The opening of the Israeli site angered Jordan, which operates a baptismal site on the east bank of the river, in Al-Maghtas (also known as Bethany-beyond-the-Jordan). The Jordanian government protested that the Jordanian site is the authentic one, and that it had been recognized as such by the Vatican and by Pope John Paul II, who attended its inauguration in 2000. Jordan accused Israel of falsifying history and the Christian faith and of trying to undermine Christian tourism to Jordan. It even filed a complaint to this effect with the Vatican. It should be noted that the Jordanian and the Israeli sites directly face each other across the Jordan River, which is only a few meters wide at that point (see photos below). The conflict is therefore mainly over the Christian tourism to the area, with Jordan's concern being that the opening of the Israeli site will mean fewer visitors to the Jordanian site. To read the full report, visit http://www.memri.org/report/en/0/0/0/0/0/0/5605.htm. Special Dispatch No. 4106—Jihad and Terrorism Threat Monitor/Al-Qaeda/Europe and the Arab & Muslim World/Islam and the West On June 2, 2011, the jihadi forum Al-Tahadi published an essay by Salafi-jihadi cleric Abu 'Uzair Al-Jazairi (the Algerian), who resides in Aarhus, Denmark, titled "The Killing of Great Leaders – A Harbinger of Conquest and Destruction in the Lands of the Infidels." The essay, written in rhymed prose, aims to console the Muslims over Osama bin Laden's killing by assuring them that it heralds the imminent destruction of the infidel West and its conquest by the Muslimummah. Al-Jaza'iri, who identifies himself as Abu 'Uzair 'Abd Al-Ilah Youssef Al-Youbi Al-Husni Al-Jazairi, has in recent months gained some prominence in Salafi-jihadi circles. On April 11, 2011, the Salafi-jihadi website Minbar Al-Tawhid Wal-Jihad announced that he has joined its shari'acommittee, and the jihadi forum Al-Tahadi has established a discussion board on his writings. To read the full report, visit http://www.memri.org/report/en/0/0/0/0/0/0/5606.htm.Israel, Jordan Clash Over Site of Christ's Baptism
Denmark-Based Salafi-Jihadi Cleric: Osama Bin Laden's Death Heralds 'Conquest and Destruction in the Lands of the Infidels'
Thursday, 1 September 2011
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