Imam of Al-Aqsa mosque Sheikh Ali Omar Yacoub Al-Abbasi paid a courtesy visit to Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng at his office in Komtar today.

Lim took Ali aside to view the heart of George Town on the 28th floor lobby where his office is located.

Upon seeing the Penang Straits or South Channel which separates the island from mainland, and a distance view of the two Penang bridges, Ali exclaimed “MashaAllah, this is beautiful. Penang is blessed”.

Ali plans to visit several spots in Penang, said Lim, after taking a few snapshots with his state executive councillors with the imam, who is clad in white, in his traditional garment and headgear.

Lim said Ali’s visit was made possible by state exco member on Islamic Affairs, Abdul Malik Kassim.

During this visit, Lim claimed that Ali praised Penang for respecting Muslims and non-Muslims.

“We are thrilled that someone of his stature step foot in Penang,” Lim said later, during a press conference.

Lim said the Al-Aqsa mosque is the third holiest mosque in Islam, in the Old City of Jerusalem.

The mosque remains under the wakaf of Jordanians and Palestinians, although it is under Israeli control.

The mosque has a special meaning for Muslims all over the world.

They believe Prophet Muhammad appeared at Al-Aqsa via an astral journey from Makkah during isra and mi’raj, during the holy month of Ramadan.