On August 21, 1969, Denis Michael Rohan, an extremist settler protected and supported by Israeli forces,  set fire to Al-Aqsa Mosque, causing damage to Al-Qibli Mosque and a number of the mosque’s historical furniture.

The fire lasted for several hours, which caused the burning of Salah al-Din Minbar (pulpit) constructed 900 years ago, the mosque’s carpets, and a number of historical furniture. Meanwhile, Palestinians were trying to control the fire using simple tools.

Hours later, Palestinians managed to extinguish the fire despite the Israeli attempts of preventing them from accessing the mosque and cutting off the water supplies.

The crime led to mass protests and strikes across occupied Palestine at a time when Israeli occupation authorities banned for the first time Friday prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque.