Islamic Jerusalem
Abbasid Dynasty (750-969):
-they are ruling out of Baghdad
-they attempt to wipe out the memory of the Umayyad accomplishments
-take credit for Dome of the Rock ("stamp out" and take credit for the things the Umayyads did)
-they forgot to change the date of destruction on their coins, however. considered plagiarism
-they continue Polemic against Christianity
-John the Patriarch of Jerusalem is killed
-unlike the Umayyads, there is hostility with Christians
Next dynasty - Fatimids (969-1099):
-results in a period of upheaval (more tumultuous time)
-but population continues to increase
-the welfare of Christians and Jews fluctuates
-they were allowed to practice their own traditions and worship, now they're not
-governors are appointed so everyone can get along
-their reign begins with "The War of Sixty Years" which involves the Christian Byzantines
-Byzantines attempt to rescue and liberate Jerusalem
-Caliph al-Hakim confiscates everything for islam
-he was an intolerant ruler
-in 1033 there is a huge earthquake, which damages Jerusalem's walls and buildings
-Jerusalem is on an earthquake fault (hence the valleys)
-Seluqs occupy Jerusalem (they take a non-diplomatic approach towards control)
-Fatimids try to get back control, but the damage had already been done
-it was a situation of Muslims fighting each other and ultimately weakening themselves so that a third party (the Seluqs) could come in and take over
Crusader Jerusalem
Fast-forwarding to the end of the Crusades:
-Ayyubid Jerusalem (1187-1250)
-begins when Saladin takes over Jerusalem
-this is a time of continued attempts of conquest by outside forces
-his big victory was at the mountain called “Horns of Hattin”
-there is a massacre, and Jerusalem gives in
-Saladin knew he had control and allowed people to leave if they wished
-he carried out purification rituals for the Temple Mount
-the Greek Orthodox Church is given the Holy Sepulcher
-the Jewish quarter is beginning to populate (this is when the quarter is introduced)
-Muslim shrines begin to replace everything
-Saladin dies and his successors struggle with power
-several unsuccessful crusades, and the walls of Jerusalem are dismantled
-people no longer flee there for protection
-it's not a place of refuge so the population goes down
Mamluk and Ottoman Jerusalem
The period post-Crusades- Malmuk Jerusalem (1250-1516 CE):
-Mamluk: a soldier of slave origin who converted to Islam
-Movement (not dynasty) of people taking control that usually don’t
-Marginalized groups have affinity towards this
-Become source of political and military power
-They even attained ranks of Sultan
-Jerusalem become religious center
-Alternative way of making Hajj to Jerusalem- Ziyara
-Muhammad explains eternal struggle of islam
-There's a symbolic purpose of protecting Jerusalem
-But they see it at religious, not political
-Build up Temple Mount with Islamic schools, hospices, hostels, etc.
-Used Crusader structure (existing materials used)
Mamluk Architecture:
-Domes, bricks, decorative features
-Red and white or black and white stones
-Monumental entrances
-"square bricks to make round surface”
-Built the Al-Madrasa al-Ashrafiyya
-Buildings add to Sultan's prestige
-There's only geometry and calligraphy, no graven images
-Ghawanima Minaret on northwest corner of Temple Mount
-Lots of sounds: church bells, knocking wood, prayer call
Development of Jerusalem:
-New towers, minarets, and pulpit on the Haram
-Restoration of the Dome of the Rock and al-Aqsa Mosque
-Jewish quarter was still growing even under Islamic control
-Not political or administrative control, just religious
-They weren't looking to take back Jerusalem
-Legends are being built upon
-The synagogue becomes the Jewish center for religion
-Rabbi talks about making trip to Jerusalem (aliyah)
-This sort of pilgrimage is now a commandment for Jewish people
-Begin to see Jewish mysticism
-There's no Temple, so now it's spiritualized
-This still gives a path to God, there's just no physical structure
-Zion is the divine presence and final stage for pathway to God
-Spiritual Judaism is called Kabbalah
Ottoman Jerusalem (1516-1918):
-The Ottomans take Constantinople
-Selim I defeats the Mamluks
-Jerusalem peacefully capitulates
-Possessor of first qiblah (direction of prayer)
-Strong, centralized government for Jerusalem
-Jerusalem lost to Mohammed Ali in Egypt in 1831 CE
-Ottoman rule was restored in 1840 CE
Suleiman the Magnificent (1520-1566 CE):
-A law giver and builder of aqueducts
-Also rebuilds the walls of Jerusalem
-Restorations of holy places on Temple Mount
-Needs to build up spiritual significance
-Enhancements to the Islamic sites as well as Jewish and Christian sites
-Returns the city to a place of protection
-Powerful center of Islam
-Encourages people to settle and restore the city
-More Jews returning to Jerusalem (almost triple the amount)
-No more taxation
Damascus Gate:
-Leads to Muslim quarter
-Roads leading to Damascus
-Can’t just walk straight through
-Turn to the left, then walk through and go to the right
-This is for protection, can’t just batter through it
Jaffa Gate:
-Also has turns, can't just walk straight through
-Tradition of “walking into Jerusalem,” don’t ride in
-German ruler Vilhelm II wanted a grand entrance with entourage
-Couldn't navigate through the gate so he tore part of it down
-British general went back to old way after getting off horse
-HIs reasoning: he wouldn’t enter on horseback when his savior came in on a donkey
-Site where Stephen was taken out to be stoned (Acts 7)
Western Wall:
-Western retaining wall where Temple was built upon (created by Herod)
-Given to Jews as a place of prayer
-Myths associated with Temple migrate towards wall
-Presence of God was said to have settled there after the Temple was destroyed
km.
No comments:
Post a Comment