Opinion & Analysis
Arsonist torches east wing of Al-Aqsa mosque in 1969
Image credit: Shehab Wire (EN)
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On August 21, 1969, Christian arsonist Dennis Michael Rohan infiltrated Al-Aqsa mosque's prayer hall and set fire to its eastern section, Shehab Wire reported. Rohan smuggled highly flammable materials past guards and ignited them inside the Qibla chapel, destroying a significant portion of the mosque's interior.
The attack struck one of Islam's holiest sites, located in occupied East Jerusalem. The fire damaged woodwork, carpets, and decorative elements that had adorned the prayer hall for centuries. The incident prompted international outcry and investigations into security lapses at the compound.
