His Majesty King Abdullah on Sunday received cables of good wishes from senior officials and officers on the anniversary of Israa wal Miraj.

His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II also received similar cables from senior officials and officers.

In the cables, the officials stressed the importance of the occasion for Muslims, praising King Abdullah’s efforts to highlight Islam’s tolerant message to counter the falsehoods spread by the khawarej, the outlaws of Islam.

They also said the occasion symbolised the importance of Al Aqsa Mosque in Islam, highlighting His Majesty’s role as custodian of holy sites in Jerusalem and his efforts to safeguard the identity of the holy city and to prevent attempts to Judaise the holy mosque.

Israa, followed by Miraj, took place on 27 Rajab, the seventh month of the Islamic lunar calendar, in the 10th year of Mohammad’s prophethood.

Prophet Mohammad, peace be upon him, was carried from the Grand Mosque in Mecca to Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem by Al Buraq, from where he ascended to the heavens, accompanied by the archangel Gabriel.