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Clash at Jerusalem sacred site
Police and Palestinian protesters have clashed at the entrance to Al-Aqsa mosque, part of the Temple Mount, Jerusalem's holy spot for both Jews and Muslims.Details are unclear. Palestinian sources say the protesters threw rocks at a Jewish prayer group trying to enter the area in defiance to Israeli law, which reserves the top of the Temple Mount for Muslims. Jews are supposed to pray at the Western Wall on the other side. Israeli sources say the Palestinians threw rocks at a group of tourists who were dressed inappropriately.
We may never know what really happened, but the result was that several Palestinians and Israeli police were injured and a holy spot was once again marred by violence.
I've been to the Temple Mount several times and despite the palpable tension it's well worth a visit. The eleventh-century Al-Aqsa mosque has attractive medieval stained glass and an elaborately carved minbar (pulpit). Of greater interest is the Dome of the Rock next door. Its golden dome is a Jerusalem landmark and covers the spot where Mohammad is believed to have ascended to heaven. The building is decorated with beautiful multicolored tiles. Nearby is the Western Wall, also called the Wailing Wall, said to be part of the original Jewish Temple and a place of great spiritual importance for Jews.
Visiting the Temple Mount is a quick lesson in religious politics. Police crowd every entrance and signs warn members of opposing religions from worshiping at each other's sites. On one visit during the Nineties I went with my girlfriend of the time, who was Muslim. The soldiers eyed us suspiciously and hovered close by as we waited outside for the prayer service to end. She wanted us to go in together but I wasn't allowed in during services. Once the service was over, we entered and she did her prayers as I admired the building. Nobody objected to the strange sight of an agnostic and a Muslim visiting Islam's third holiest site together, but we got plenty of curious looks. I wonder if we could have pulled it off today? I'm not sure I'd try. Too bad everyone can't just chill out and accept that there are different types of people in the world.
No chance. I can't even blog about Ottoman architecture without getting grumpy comments. Ah well.
Filed under: Arts and Culture, History, Israel, News, Middle East
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Steve Sep 28th 2009 5:25PM
Another grumpy comment, meant to educate, not harrass:
You wrote "Nearby is the Western Wall, also called the Wailing Wall, said to be part of the original Jewish Temple and a place of great spiritual importance for Jews.
Most archaeologists and historians agree that is IS part of the Second Temple, built by King Herod. One of the strategies used by Israel's opponents is to deny that connection. By using "said to be" , you give it the same veracity as "believed to have ascended to heaven". You play right into the doubt, when it is about as well established as any fact from 2000 years ago can be.
Hans Mast Sep 28th 2009 8:34PM
I lived in Jerusalem for 5 months last summer/fall. Non-Muslims are not allowed inside the Dome of the Rock or al-Aqsa.
Sean McLachlan Sep 28th 2009 7:36PM
Really? Are you sure that wasn't a temporary thing? I was there a few years ago, and the Israeli claim that the people who had rocks thrown at them were tourists suggests that non-Muslims are allowed inside.
Hans Mast Sep 29th 2009 4:04PM
Tourists are allowed up onto the Temple Mount or the al-Aqsa/Dome of the Rock courtyard, but they're not allowed to go inside the mosque buildings. Also, they're allowed to be there for only two short time periods each day, between prayer times. The non-Muslims have to pass through 30-40 min security lines while the Muslims walk in without any security check--if an Israeli security officer is suspicious you aren't Muslim, you must recite a Muslim prayer in Arabic. In my ignorance, I tried to go to DoR straight from il-Quds University (right next to DoR) where I was studying Arabic; the quickest route was the Muslim entrance which I didn't know was the Muslim entrance. I found out quickly that I had to walk all the way around to the Jewish Quarter and come in by the Western Wall. This difference in security makes sense because the main possible source of violence is Israelis/right-wingers trying to destroy DoR/al-Aqsa to rebuild the temple.
I believe that this prohibition on non-Muslims was put into place after the 2001 uprising and Ariel Sharon's visit to the Temple Mount, but that's just a rusty memory.
btw, I lived on the Mount of Olives with a nice view of the Old City and DoR/al-Aqsa from my bedroom balcony.
(also, re: "trying to enter the area in defiance to Israeli law, which reserves the top of the Temple Mount for Muslims" I don't think Israeli law prohibits Jews from visiting DoR courtyard, but rather the religious authorities of Judaism have issued an edict that it is blasphemy to worship G-d on the Temple Mount when it is currently desecrated by Muslims with the temple being properly in place. There's a large sign at the non-Muslim entrance from the Chief Rabbinate of Jerusalem proclaiming this theological ruling.)
Hans Mast Sep 29th 2009 3:02PM
correction: "without the temple being properly in place."
Hans Mast Sep 29th 2009 3:08PM
Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dome_of_the_Rock#Accessibility :
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Until the mid-nineteenth century, non-Muslims were barred from the area. Since 1967, non-Muslims have been allowed some entry, but non-Muslim prayers on the Temple Mount are not allowed.
After Ariel Sharon, then Israeli opposition leader, visited the Temple Mount in 2000, in what was considered as a provocative gesture that set off Muslim rioting, non-Muslims were forbidden to enter the Temple compound.
In 2006, the compound was reopened to non-Muslim visitors free of charge, between 7:30-11:30 a.m. and 1:30-2:30 p.m. during Summer and 7:30-10:30 a.m. and 1:30-2:30 p.m. during Winter. However, timings can vary depending on the date and it is highly recommended to arrive early. Non-Muslims may never enter on Fridays, Saturdays, or Muslim holidays. Entry is through a covered wooden walkway next to the security entrance to the Western Wall known as the Mugrabi or Maimonides Gate. Entry to the mosques themselves is prohibited to non-Muslims, as is access to the Temple Mount through the Cotton Market. Visitors undergo strict security screening, and items such as Hebrew prayerbooks or musical instruments are not allowed.
Some Orthodox rabbis regard the rules of entry to the compound established by the Muslim Council as a violation of Jewish law. This is based on the belief that since the time the Temple was destroyed, centuries ago, the precise location of the Holy of Holies, the sanctuary entered only by the High Priest, is not known. Hence a restriction applies to the entire compound. However, other rabbis believe that modern archeological and other evidence has enabled them to identify areas that can be safely entered without violating Jewish law.
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So you're right to say that non-Muslim prayers are not allowed on the Temple Mount.