Week 10 Lecture 2 (3/10/11):
Today, we finally arrived at the awaited topic of the Palestinian and Israeli conflict. I've seen many stories about this conflict in the news, but I've never really understood the depth, the history, and the reasons behind it. However, like Professor Cargill, I have hope for peace. I believe completely in what Professor Cargill said when he said that creating peace takes time and courage, because there will always be people who disagree and there will always be conflicts to provoke you into an easier route (take arms and fire back), but in order to attain peace, politicians and leaders have to be strong and remain strong, to ensure that peace really pulls through. On several accounts, Israel has been very close to attaining peace, but one provocation from the Palestinians completely dismantled any thought of a peaceful compromise. I believe that peace is close. It might appear from a standpoint that the Israelis are the "good guys" and the Palestinians are the "bad guys," but this class has really taught me to be more open-minded. The "bad people" on the news do not encompass the entire Palestinian population, and new media usually are either skewed or biased. I hope Israel and Palestine do reach a middle ground soon, for the sake of global peace.
Overall, I really enjoyed this class a lot. I took this class as a Writing II requirement, but I ended up liking the class way more than I had anticipated. Another reason I took this course was because I am very interested in Jerusalem's role in Christianity. After the first week, however, I discovered that Christianity will only take up about one or two lectures, so I was a bit bummed out. Surprisingly, I found myself engrossed into learning about other religions and their effects on Jerusalem. My favorite part of this class was definitely learning about modern Jerusalem. It opened my eyes to many issues, and made me re-evaluate my definition of terrorism and my belief about what is truly right. Professor Cargill was a great professor. Not only was he knowledgeable, he was also "cool." By this, I mean he makes references that we, students, can understand, and it's hilarious. He is very passionate about what he teaches, and his passion spreads to me and his students. I especially enjoyed listening to his adventures in Jerusalem. I definitely want to visit Jerusalem one day, and I know the first thing I will do is turn my hand upside-down to figure out where I am. Thank you Professor!
P.S. I quite enjoyed this blogging experience. :)
Friday, March 11, 2011
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
20th Century Jerusalem
Week 10 Lecture 1 (3/8/11):
During this lecture, we talked about the Jerusalem we see in the news spotlight, the Jerusalem in the center of political and religious debate. After the end of the Ottomon Empire, Jerusalem still continued to grow. The population of Jerusalem increased, especially in respect to the Jews. However, in the 20th century, there was a rise in anti-semitism, the act of blaming Jews because they are different or because they are more successful. I, personally, am very passionate about this topic. I don't believe in discrimination, but unfortunately, it has become almost part of human nature. It was practiced in the past, and is here in the present when discrimination is condescended. With special consideration of the Jews, they had to endure great amounts of persecution and discrimination in their very long history. For Jews to remain a dominant religion today really shows how strong their faith in God is and how they grow from oppression, not break down.
The Jews tried their best to earn a state of their own in the early 20th century. During the British Mandate, which occurred after WWI, the British tried to settle on a compromise between the Arabs and Jews, but to no avail. There was constant fighting because neither wanted to give up their own land or settle for less than the other side. A "War of Independence" broke out in 1948, that ended in an armistice signed on Match 16, 1949. This gave rise to the Green Line, separating the territory of Israel and Jordan, and also of the Jews and Arabs. This was a victory to the Jews, but a catastrophe to the Arabs, who saw this as a major loss. Controversy arises today because of Jewish settlements on the West Bank, the area past the Green Line belonging to the Arabs. I do not know much about this subject, but it makes me angry when people break a pact or treaty. If the Jews agreed to stay in West Jerusalem, did they think they can build on areas in the Eastern side and get away with it? Obviously, conflict would have been inevitable, so why not save their country, and the world, turmoil and pain by abiding to the initial pact?
During this lecture, we talked about the Jerusalem we see in the news spotlight, the Jerusalem in the center of political and religious debate. After the end of the Ottomon Empire, Jerusalem still continued to grow. The population of Jerusalem increased, especially in respect to the Jews. However, in the 20th century, there was a rise in anti-semitism, the act of blaming Jews because they are different or because they are more successful. I, personally, am very passionate about this topic. I don't believe in discrimination, but unfortunately, it has become almost part of human nature. It was practiced in the past, and is here in the present when discrimination is condescended. With special consideration of the Jews, they had to endure great amounts of persecution and discrimination in their very long history. For Jews to remain a dominant religion today really shows how strong their faith in God is and how they grow from oppression, not break down.
The Jews tried their best to earn a state of their own in the early 20th century. During the British Mandate, which occurred after WWI, the British tried to settle on a compromise between the Arabs and Jews, but to no avail. There was constant fighting because neither wanted to give up their own land or settle for less than the other side. A "War of Independence" broke out in 1948, that ended in an armistice signed on Match 16, 1949. This gave rise to the Green Line, separating the territory of Israel and Jordan, and also of the Jews and Arabs. This was a victory to the Jews, but a catastrophe to the Arabs, who saw this as a major loss. Controversy arises today because of Jewish settlements on the West Bank, the area past the Green Line belonging to the Arabs. I do not know much about this subject, but it makes me angry when people break a pact or treaty. If the Jews agreed to stay in West Jerusalem, did they think they can build on areas in the Eastern side and get away with it? Obviously, conflict would have been inevitable, so why not save their country, and the world, turmoil and pain by abiding to the initial pact?
Friday, March 4, 2011
The Growth of the Haram and Jewish Quarter
Week 9 Lecture 2 (3/3/11):
During the Mamluk movement, Jerusalem began to grow once again, after the destruction caused by the Crusaders and Abbasids/Fatamids. Extensive construction of schools, hospitals, and hostels took place to restore the holy city to its former glory. One of the creations during this time was the Al-Madrasa al-Ashrafiyya. It is a Qur'anic school built in 1482, and is now considered the 3rd Jewel of Jerusalem after the Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa Mosque. The rise of Islamic Jerusalem is clearly seen in this period. More myths became attributed to the Temple Mount and its beautiful monuments. For example, mausoleums were built closer to the Temple Mount because many believed that the Temple Mount was where the Judgment Day will take place. Jerusalem was once again a Muslim city, with the Haram as the focal point.
During the Ottomon period, which lasted almost 400 years, the greatest and most well-known ruler was Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent. During his 46 years reign, he conducted mass construction projects. He helped repair and enlarge aqueducts, refurnished the Haram and its monuments, and built the seven gates of Jerusalem to fortify the city. By rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, Suleiman contributed greatly to the rise in population. Jewish population also rose because they were not discriminated against. In fact, Suleiman encouraged Jews to resettle the city and gave them the Western Wall as a place to pray. This Western Wall is now the most important spot in Judaism, where people come to pray, give thanks, and seek help. Not only did Suleiman aid Islam and Judaism, but he also helped Christianity by restoring the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Suleiman was an effective ruler and religiously tolerant man who restored the kingdom and provided a strong, central government for Jerusalem to flourish.
During the Mamluk movement, Jerusalem began to grow once again, after the destruction caused by the Crusaders and Abbasids/Fatamids. Extensive construction of schools, hospitals, and hostels took place to restore the holy city to its former glory. One of the creations during this time was the Al-Madrasa al-Ashrafiyya. It is a Qur'anic school built in 1482, and is now considered the 3rd Jewel of Jerusalem after the Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa Mosque. The rise of Islamic Jerusalem is clearly seen in this period. More myths became attributed to the Temple Mount and its beautiful monuments. For example, mausoleums were built closer to the Temple Mount because many believed that the Temple Mount was where the Judgment Day will take place. Jerusalem was once again a Muslim city, with the Haram as the focal point.
During the Ottomon period, which lasted almost 400 years, the greatest and most well-known ruler was Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent. During his 46 years reign, he conducted mass construction projects. He helped repair and enlarge aqueducts, refurnished the Haram and its monuments, and built the seven gates of Jerusalem to fortify the city. By rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, Suleiman contributed greatly to the rise in population. Jewish population also rose because they were not discriminated against. In fact, Suleiman encouraged Jews to resettle the city and gave them the Western Wall as a place to pray. This Western Wall is now the most important spot in Judaism, where people come to pray, give thanks, and seek help. Not only did Suleiman aid Islam and Judaism, but he also helped Christianity by restoring the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Suleiman was an effective ruler and religiously tolerant man who restored the kingdom and provided a strong, central government for Jerusalem to flourish.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Crusader Jerusalem
Week 9 Lecture 1 (3/1/11):
When people think of the Crusades today, they think of knights marching on a quest to conquer Jerusalem. However, back in the 10th century, the Crusade was more than a war. It was a holy war authorized by a pope on Christ's behalf. This authorization makes the act of killing in God's name acceptable. Also, people who went on the Crusades had to take proper vows, and thereby received indulgences for their efforts. Indulgences were remissions of penalties and sins given to those who either paid funds to the church or went on these Crusades. The use of indulgences eventually led to the Protestant Reformation that would divide Christianity into more sects. The expansion of Islam, the Great Schism, the persecution of Christians, and the difficulty of pilgrimages to Jerusalem all created a lot of zealous for this war.
The first Crusade began in 1095 after Pope Urban II preached about this "holy war." Jerusalem would overtaken 4 years later, in 1099, by Godfrey de Buillon, and Baldwin became king in 1100. During Crusader Jerusalem, the Islamic monuments, such as the Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa Mosque, were modified to accommodate the Christians. There was mass rebuilding of ruined Byzantine Churches, especially the Church of the Holy Sepulcher that was burned down in 1099. It was finally rebuilt under one roof, and became a central part of the Patriarch's quarter. The Temple Mount was known as the Templar's quarter, the northeast quarter was called the Syrian quarter, and the southwest side was known as the Armenian quarter. Crusader Jerusalem did not last long. In 1187, Saladin conquered Jerusalem at the Horns of Hattin and converted Jerusalem back into a Muslim city. However, Christians and Jews were still allowed to have pilgrimages to Jerusalem. There were many small crusade efforts after 1187, but this all ended in 1291 when the last Crusader outpost fell.
When people think of the Crusades today, they think of knights marching on a quest to conquer Jerusalem. However, back in the 10th century, the Crusade was more than a war. It was a holy war authorized by a pope on Christ's behalf. This authorization makes the act of killing in God's name acceptable. Also, people who went on the Crusades had to take proper vows, and thereby received indulgences for their efforts. Indulgences were remissions of penalties and sins given to those who either paid funds to the church or went on these Crusades. The use of indulgences eventually led to the Protestant Reformation that would divide Christianity into more sects. The expansion of Islam, the Great Schism, the persecution of Christians, and the difficulty of pilgrimages to Jerusalem all created a lot of zealous for this war.
The first Crusade began in 1095 after Pope Urban II preached about this "holy war." Jerusalem would overtaken 4 years later, in 1099, by Godfrey de Buillon, and Baldwin became king in 1100. During Crusader Jerusalem, the Islamic monuments, such as the Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa Mosque, were modified to accommodate the Christians. There was mass rebuilding of ruined Byzantine Churches, especially the Church of the Holy Sepulcher that was burned down in 1099. It was finally rebuilt under one roof, and became a central part of the Patriarch's quarter. The Temple Mount was known as the Templar's quarter, the northeast quarter was called the Syrian quarter, and the southwest side was known as the Armenian quarter. Crusader Jerusalem did not last long. In 1187, Saladin conquered Jerusalem at the Horns of Hattin and converted Jerusalem back into a Muslim city. However, Christians and Jews were still allowed to have pilgrimages to Jerusalem. There were many small crusade efforts after 1187, but this all ended in 1291 when the last Crusader outpost fell.
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