Al-Aqsa Mosque compound

Al-Aqsa Mosque compound
Name	Al-Aqsa Mosque compound
Native name	المسجد الأقصى
Location	Jerusalem
Coordinates	31.7767°N 35.2345°E
Established	7th century CE (current structures span 7th–20th centuries)
Significance	Third holiest site in Islam
Architecture	Umayyad, Abbasid, Fatimid, Mamluk, Ottoman, British Mandate, Jordanian, Palestinian

Al-Aqsa Mosque compound is a historic religious complex in the Old City of Jerusalem encompassing a large esplanade, multiple mosques, courtyards, gates, and ancillary buildings. The compound has been shaped by successive rulers including the Umayyad Caliphate, Abbasid Caliphate, Fatimid Caliphate, Mamluk Sultanate, Ottoman Empire, British Mandate authorities, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, State of Israel, and the Palestinian Authority. It sits adjacent to notable landmarks such as the Dome of the Rock, the Western Wall, the Al-Buraq Wall, and the Via Dolorosa.

History

The site’s history intersects with figures and events like Caliph Abd al-Malik, Caliph al-Walid I, Salah ad-Din, Richard I of England, Saladin, Crusader States, Kingdom of Jerusalem, Ayyubid dynasty, Mamluk Sultanate, Suleiman the Magnificent, Napoleon Bonaparte, Ottoman Empire, Muhammad Ali of Egypt, British Mandate for Palestine, United Nations Partition Plan for Palestine, 1948 Arab–Israeli War, Jordanian annexation of the West Bank, Six-Day War, 1967 Six-Day War, Oslo Accords, Intifada, First Intifada, Second Intifada, Palestinian Authority and Hashemite custodianship. Early Islamic construction under Umayyad Caliphate established the esplanade and sanctuaries while later reconstructions followed earthquakes, including works by Caliph al-Walid I and repairs commissioned by Caliph al-Ma'mun. Crusader occupation transformed the precinct into a cathedral complex linked to Templar Knights and later restoration after Saladin returned the site to Muslim control. Ottoman restorations under Suleiman the Magnificent and 19th-century renovations by local ulema and the Ottoman Provincial Council further altered the layout. 20th-century political transitions after World War I and the British Mandate for Palestine introduced new administrative arrangements and tensions culminating in the post-1967 status quo dialogues involving Israel, Jordan, and international bodies like the United Nations Security Council.

Architecture and Layout

The compound contains a range of structures reflecting Umayyad architecture, Fatimid architecture, Mamluk architecture, and Ottoman architecture. Key buildings near the central esplanade include the Dome of the Rock (built under Caliph Abd al-Malik), the congregational mosque known as the Qibli Mosque, the Al-Kas/Marwani Prayer Hall area, and multiple minarets such as the Al-Fakhariyya Minaret and the Bab al-Asbat (Lion's Gate). Surrounding elements include the Western Wall to the west, the Al-Buraq Wall, the Mount of Olives, and access points like Bab al-Silsila, Bab al-Rahma, Bab al-Asbat, and Cotton Gate (Bab al-Qattanin). Decorative features show influences from artisans tied to Damascus, Cairo, Istanbul, and regional workshops, using mosaics, marble, wooden ceilings, and inscriptions invoking patrons such as Sultan Bayezid II, Sultan Qaitbay, and King Abdullah I of Jordan.

Religious Significance and Practices

The precinct is revered in Islamic tradition linked to figures and narratives in texts associated with Prophet Muhammad and the Isra and Mi'raj, and is recognized alongside pilgrimage sites such as Mecca and Medina. It hosts daily prayers, Friday congregational worship led by imams from institutions like the Waqf (Jordanian-appointed) and visiting scholars from Al-Azhar University, Madrasa al-Aqsa alumni, and regional religious authorities. Rituals include the five daily prayers, Friday khutbahs, Ramadan taraweeh, Eid prayers, and special commemorations connected to figures such as Imam al-Ghazali in historical discourse. The site is intertwined with religious institutions like the Islamic Waqf of Jerusalem, educational bodies in Jerusalem, and networks of clerics and muftis across Jordan, Egypt, and the wider Arab world.

Administration and Governance

Administrative responsibility has been contested among entities including the Waqf under Jordan, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan as custodian, the State of Israel which exercises civil and security control over access, and municipal authorities such as the Jerusalem Municipality. International stakeholders and bodies including the United Nations, UNESCO, European Union, United States Department of State, and regional states like Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey have engaged diplomatically over status and stewardship. Legal and political instruments influencing governance include treaties and agreements tied to Armistice Agreements, the Oslo Accords, and UN resolutions like UN Security Council Resolution 242 and UN Security Council Resolution 478 that shape discussions on Jerusalem’s status.

Political Conflicts and Incidents

The compound has been a flashpoint in conflicts involving actors such as Hamas, Fatah, Israeli Defense Forces, Palestinian Authority security forces, Jordanian Armed Forces (symbolically), and international NGOs. Notable incidents include clashes during the Second Intifada, disputes after visits by figures like Ariel Sharon in 2000, protests tied to settlers associated with movements in West Bank settlements, and tensions following actions by politicians from Knesset delegations. International reactions have involved bodies like European Union External Action Service, United States Congress, and Arab League statements. Security operations, judicial rulings from institutions like the Israeli Supreme Court, and diplomatic summonses among ambassadors have recurrently affected visitation, worship, and archaeology.

Archaeology and Preservation Efforts

Archaeological work has connected the site to artifacts and layers studied by teams from institutions such as Israel Antiquities Authority, Palestine Archaeological Museum, British School of Archaeology in Jerusalem, Heidelberg University, and various university departments in Oxford University, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and University of Chicago. Excavations and conservation projects have raised debates involving international cultural heritage law, including conventions like the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict and actions by UNESCO World Heritage Committee. Preservationists cite interventions by authorities such as the Jordanian Department of Antiquities, NGOs like ICOMOS, and funding from foundations in Qatar and Saudi Arabia, while critics reference controversial excavation reports, damage claims, and media coverage by outlets including Al Jazeera, BBC, and The New York Times.

Accessibility and Visitor Information

Access arrangements involve checkpoints and routes near points like Western Wall Plaza, Damascus Gate, Jaffa Gate, and the Mount of Olives footpaths, with visiting hours affected by decisions from Waqf authorities, Israel Police, and municipal regulations under the Jerusalem Municipality. Visitors from countries such as United States of America, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia often coordinate through tour operators licensed by the Ministry of Tourism (Israel) or Palestinian tour services, with guidance from consulates and embassies. Practical information includes requirements on dress codes advised by religious institutions, security screenings by Israel Police and civil authorities, and special arrangements during periods like Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr, and Eid al-Adha when access is prioritized for worshippers.

Category:Religious buildings and structures in Jerusalem Category:Islam in Jerusalem Category:Historic sites in Jerusalem