BEERSHEVA (AA) - August 27, 2012 - Dr. Dalia Manor, the curator of the Museum at Beersheva Mosque in Israeli city of Beersheva, said on Monday that an alcoholic beverages festival would take place at their mosque on September 5 in which wines produced in Israel would compete against each other.
The Beersheva Mosque, built by the Ottomans, was turned into a museum in 2011 by the decision of an Israeli court.
Speaking to the Anadolu Agency (AA), Dr. Manor confirmed reports that an alcoholic beverages festival would take place at the mosque on September 5 and that the festival would be hosted by the Municipality of Beersheva.
An Arab member of the Israeli Parliament (Knesset), Taleb es-Sania, said that the alcoholic beverages festival hurt the dignity of the Muslims.
"The dignity of the mosque is the dignity of the Muslims," es-Sania stated.
"Israel first turned the mosque into a prison and later into a museum. The alcoholic beverages festival to be held at the mosque was intended as provocation," es-Sania stressed.
"Holding a wine festival at the mosque is a stain for Israeli democracy. One of the sacred values of democracy is to protect the sacred values of all citizens. The Israeli government acts in a way that brings up provocation for certain segments of the society. The Israeli government, under normal circumstances, had to turn the mosque into a museum and make it available for the use of Muslims. Israel must block all efforts that target the sacred values of Muslims," es-Sania underlined.
"Muslims and Christians are making preparations to hold a rally to protest the wine festival on September 3 and 4. We will not turn back until we receive our right. The name of Allah and the sound of adhan will be heard from the minaret here," es-Sania also said.
