Sheikh Abdullah Mulla, a Jordanian citizen living in exile, spent four days in Israel this week, including a visit to Jerusalem. During his stay, he held meetings in the Knesset and at the Western Wall, where he placed a note between the stones. His visit has sparked outrage across the Arab world and social media, drawing widespread condemnation and disavowal. Mulla, in turn, has fiercely responded to his critics.
Visit to the Knesset and the Western Wall in Jerusalem
Mulla is known as a Jordanian social activist and identifies himself as the “President of the Jordanian Coalition for Change.” He is considered a strong opponent of King Abdullah II. This week he visited the Knesset in Jerusalem, meeting and posing with members of parliament and political activists. He also presented one MK with a traditional Jordanian abaya representing the Bani Hassan tribe, one of Jordan’s largest.
The highlight of the trip was his arrival at the Western Wall and the video he shared from the site. During the visit, he prayed for “all the oppressed in the Arab world in general, and those oppressed in Jordan in particular.” Speaking at the Wall, Mulla said: “Praise be to God, my journey was historic, political, and religious, and I sent it to all concerned parties. God strengthened my determination and granted me success, and I felt it spiritually and mentally. We shall not listen to barking dogs; they bark but do not bite. For future generations, I will act with all my strength. For more than a hundred years, all we hear about is killing, hunger, and poverty.”
Harsh condemnation in Jordan and on social media
The visit has been widely covered across the Arab world and social media. Mulla has faced fierce criticism from all sides. Commentators called the visit “a blatant provocation and a painful insult to Jordan’s national stance.”
Some reactions in Jordan described Mulla as “a treacherous agent,” accusing him of “supporting the occupation” and Israel’s policies. Senior figures from the Bani Hassan tribe, to which Mulla belongs, issued strong condemnations and distanced themselves from his actions, claiming he does not represent the tribe and that the presentation of the abaya was done deceitfully. Tribal leaders and public figures denounced him as “a liar.”
Mulla strikes back – attack on Jordan’s royal establishment
Mulla did not remain silent. In a sharp post on his X (Twitter) account titled “Four days that shook the Hashemite regime and its corrupt rule,” he wrote:
“After a four-day political, religious, and organizational mission to the State of Israel aimed at shaping the new Middle East, we returned this Thursday evening to Washington, the capital of global political decision-making. I was astonished by the political hysteria that gripped the inner circle of King Abdullah II and the Hashemite regime in Jordan. A barrage of ridiculous and worthless condemnation statements was released, all originating from the king’s intelligence services and having nothing to do with the good Jordanian people. My political mission continues, aimed at building the new Jordan and recognizing the Kingdom of Israel. The silent majority stands with me – whether from my Bani Hassan tribe, other Jordanian tribes, or Jordanians of Palestinian origin.”
