Turkish group renovates 45 mosques, 70 homes in Jerusalem and surroundings

A Turkish organisation responsible for protecting and renovating Ottoman heritage in Jerusalem and its environs has renovated 45 old mosques and 70 old homes in the holy city, the Anadolu Agency reported yesterday.

Khalis Mutlu, an official in the society, said that there are 4,000 old homes in need of renovation in Jerusalem’s Old City, adding: “Israel plans to cleanse Jerusalem of Muslims.”

He said Israel has put a number of obstacles in the way of the group’s work, adding that they have been issued with strict deadlines as to when works need to be complete or authorities will demolish the properties.

“We completed the renovation of the buildings which Israel permitted, including the Grand Mosque in Haifa, which is part of the Othman heritage,” he said.

“The Israeli government sent a letter to us four years ago, telling us to renovate the mosque or it would demolish it,” he said, “we immediately started renovation works.”

He said that the Israeli authorities confiscate old Palestinian homes and places of worship. Adding that a number of then are in need of renovation but Israel refuses to allow the works to be carried out.

Fathia Qteeneh, who owns one of the houses, said: “Five families live in this house, which was dilapidating. We did not have enough money to renovate it and the Israelis offered to buy it but we refused.”

“We heard about the Turkish society, and contacted them, they immediately started the renovation. We thank them a lot and I always pray to God to protect them.”