Palestinian experts warned on Sunday, April 10, that threats by Jewish extremists to storm Al-Aqsa Mosque, Islam�s third holiest site, has a more serious religious undertone as they believe that 2005 is the year for the construction of the so-called third temple.

�These groups are not joking. They unshakably believe that the year 2005 will see the establishment of the third temple at God�s orders,� Nihad Al-Sheikh Khalil, a researcher in Israeli affairs, told IslamOnline.net.

Although several Jewish groups have plotted to storm Al-Aqsa Mosque compound on Sunday, Khalil did not expect a major problem.

This, however, demonstrates that the Palestinians can not protect Al-Aqsa all by themselves despite their painstaking efforts, he said.

�Though few in numbers, these groups can translate their words into action since they are backed by the influential Israeli right-wing, which grows stronger day in and day out.�

Thousands of Palestinians gathered in and outside Al-Aqsa compound to protect it from Jewish ultra-nationalists. Around 3,000 Palestinians spent the night in the mosque.

Such groups, added the Palestinian expert, and the right-wing are wedded to the goal of derailing a planned Israeli pullout from the Gaza Strip.

�They want [Prime Minister Ariel] Sharon to reverse his plans and return to the rightist fold.�

Al-Haram Al-Sharif, which includes Al-Aqsa Mosque, represents the heart of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict because of its religious significance for Muslims.

Jews claim that their alleged Haykal (Temple of Solomon) exists underneath Al-Haram Al-Sharif which was the first qiblah (direction Muslims take during prayers).

It is Islam's third holiest shrine after Ka`bah in Makkah and Prophet Muhammad�s Mosque in Medina, Saudi Arabia.

Its significance has been reinforced by the incident of Al-Israa� and Al-Mi`raj (the night journey from Makkah to Al-Quds and the ascent to the Heavens by Prophet Muhammad).

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