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.