Al-Aqsa Mosque: The ancient and historical Mosque in Jerusalem (Part – 1)

By asad russel –

About Al Aqsa Mosque, Jerusalem:
In Jerusalem the most important mosque is the Al Aqsa Mosque. On the Haram esh-Sharif or the Temple Mount it is located, in Islam after Mecca and Medina it is the third holiest site. In Jerusalem for the Muslim community it is the central focus, the daily prayers hosing and foe Friday sermons accommodating large crowds.

The history of Al Aqsa Mosque:
As the masjid al-aqsa or the distant sanctuary all of Jerusalem was known, but in the city to be applied to the main mosque the term eventually came. On the site when the first mosque was built it is not certain, the Mosque of Umar, in Jerusalem the first mosque, in 638 was built and may have stood in this site. The Christian pilgrim Arculf in 680 describe a mosque on this site to be that appears.

Around 710 AD by the Umayyads was constructed the earliest mosque certainly that was built here, the Dome of the Rock only a few decades after. By the end of the 8th century with 15 aisles it reached its greatest extent under the Abbasid rule. Unfortunately nothing survive today of the ancient mosque. In the first 60 years of existence it was destroyed twice by the earthquakes and at least five times has been rebuilt. By Caliph az-Zahir in 1035 was the last major rebuilt.

In 1099 the Jerusalem after captured by the Crusaders, as the royal palace of the Crusader kings Al Aqsa Mosque was used, then on 1118 as the headquarters of the Knights Templar. In the Romanesque central bays of the main façade remains the legacy of these European occupants. In 1187 after recapturing the Jerusalem, the new arches Saladin left but except for the refectory along the south wall around the mosque all the Templar tore down. The Islamic Museum and the women’s Mosque this now houses.

A major restoration of Al Aqsa Mosque carried out the Mamelukes in the mid-14th century, on either side of the porch an extra two bays during which they added. Only the west side of the mosque still survives as the reminder of their work. A time of significant turmoil and change the Al Aqsa Mosque was the 20th century. The east side and the nave of the mosque were torn down after two earthquakes and in 1938 to 1942 was rebuilt. In 1951 in the south end of the mosque King Abdullah of Jordan was assassinated, in a pillar can still be seen bullet holes. Thanks to the medals of the future King Hussein over his chest he wore only survived the attack. Near the west wall commemorates of the attack and that followed a riots consisting of bullets and tear gas canisters a small memorial.

On August 21, 1969 another tragedy occurred here. In order to clear the way for the Second Coming started a fire in the mosque when an Australian Christian crazed tourist. In the fire was destroyed the beautiful wooden pulpit which was given by the Saladin in the 12th century. It was bad enough the crime, but to riots it led and the Jews were trying to destroy the mosque that was the ongoing accusations.

Posted by : Unknown 8:23 PM Tags : Travel Destinations

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