Jordanian King Abdullah announced Sunday that his country would donate more than $1.5 million to the Al-Aksa mosque on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.  Abdullah also said he plans to give bonuses to employees of the Islamic Wakf, which controls the mosque, as a tribute for their work.

The donation to Al-Aksa will be used to fund repair work on the mosque and the famous gold “Dome of the Rock.”  The money will be controlled by Abdullah’s cousin, Prince Reza, and is meant to strengthen the Jordanian presence in the area.