(JTA) — A Saudi scholar has dropped plans to film a television show in Jerusalem after criticism from a Jordanian group.
Sheikh Mohammad al-Areefi, who runs a satellite program that urges young people to do volunteer social work, planned to shoot an episode in eastern Jerusalem, according to The Hindu, India’s national newspaper. Al-Areefi was in Jordan last week preparing for his trip to Jerusalem.
The episode was aimed at bolstering Muslim claims to Jerusalem. Nevertheless, the head of Jordan’s Anti-Normalization Committee told the German Press Agency DPA on April 8 that it would be "a big mistake" for al-Areefi to enter Israel. The Anti-Normalization Committee opposes all contact with Israel, despite the peace treaty in effect between the two nations.
Saudi Arabia is one of many Arab nations that ban travel to Israel.
