His Majesty King Abdullah has received cables of good wishes from senior officials and army officers, heads of security agencies, and representatives of civil society organisations on the anniversary of Al Israa wal Miraj.

His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II also received similar cables on the occasion.

In the cables, the officials stressed the importance of the occasion for Muslims, symbolising the importance of Al Aqsa Mosque/Al Haram Al Sharif in Islam.

They highlighted King Abdullah’s role as Custodian of Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, noting his efforts to defend Al Aqsa Mosque/Al Haram Al Sharif and safeguard other Islamic and Christian holy sites to prevent Judaisation attempts.

Jordan, in line with the Hashemite Custodianship of Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, will remain the defender of Al Aqsa Mosque, a safe haven for Arabs and Muslims, and a defender of the causes of the Arab and Muslim Ummah, the officials said in the cables.

They also praised His Majesty’s efforts to safeguard and restore Islamic holy sites, as well as his work towards a just and fair solution to the Palestinian cause, particularly the issue of Jerusalem.

The occasion of Al Israa wal Miraj is marked on 27 Rajab, the seventh month of the Islamic lunar calendar.

It refers to the nocturnal journey of Prophet Mohammad, peace be upon him, from the Grand Mosque in Mecca to Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, from where he ascended to heaven.