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Planned mosque sours Christian-Muslim relations in Israel

Jerusalem -- equally sacred to the Semitic religions, Judaism, Christianity and Islam -- has always been a tinderbox of religious sentiments. But Israel, with its fabled efficiency that turned the Naagev desert into an apple orchard, had through a clever carrot and stick policy towards the competing communities kept things under a tight leash.

This balancing trick finally seems to be backfiring as both Muslims and Christians have conveyed their displeasure as the government okayed the construction of a mosque close to a sacred Christian site in northern Israel. The Christians are piqued at the proximity of the planned place of worship to a sacred Christian site while the Muslims feel that the mosque is very different from what they had originally visualised, reports CNN.

Things seem to be getting out of hand as both communities announced plans to intensify protests in the coming weeks. This could well jeopardise the Pope's visit to the holy land early next year.

EXTERNAL LINK:

Mosque compromise in Israel upsets Christians, Muslims

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