#you built a mosque on top of our holiest site

[that-rad-jewish-girl]

Can you imagine if random Americans today claimed they were indigenous to previously native lands.

“Actually, the Trail of Tears is just propaganda. No one forced anybody off their lands. And they were not even indigenous here. But I am because my grandma was born here.”

Then how come we keep finding artifacts from their tribes here during archaeological digs? And how come their customs are centered around this area of land? And how come we know this church is built on top of native burial sites?

*insert sputtering and slurs*

And you guys are indigenous to a continent half a world away. You’re not native to Alabama, you’re native to Britain and France.

“Okay well you need to talk to our media correspondent, not me”

[jewish-vents]

I really miss the second temple and I don’t know how to deal with it. I know I’m a terrible person for it but I just get so fucking angry when I think about Al-Aqsa being there now— it was built there specifically to assert dominance over us, specifically because it is OUR place, the home of OUR temple, OUR holiest fucking place! They built it just because it was ours, and they just NEEDED it to be theirs. And now we’ll never be able to rebuild it again, because tearing this new incredibly holy and important mosque is a horrible thing to do

I know I know I KNOW I’m a vile person for this but sometimes I look at what India did, which was knock down a mosque that was built over the Hindu holiest site and rebuilt it, and I just fucking wish that could be us. But Al-Aqsa is way too fucking important to ever do that. And I know I’m a terrible person for that you don’t have to tell me I’m going to kill myself soon anyway so you won’t have to worry about me being horrrible

I’m just so fucking angry about it. I’m so bitter and mad and I just want our temple back, I just want Judea back. I’m not even religiously connected to it but it still hurts so much, it’s like some sort of soul crushing life destroying pain that rushes through me every time I think about it. I feel like I’m so close to just completely falling apart, I’m holding on by a fucking thread and I don’t know what to do. We’re always going to be mourning the Beit Hamikdash. We’re never going to have a new one. We’ve lost our home and now that we’ve gotten it back again it’s forever scarred by thousands of years of colonialism and we can’t even do anything to try to heal it

Anon, first of all, please don't harm yourself. You're allowed to have feelings, no matter how complicated, and it doesn't mean you're a bad person or deserve harm. I don't think you're a bad person.

Jewish people mourn the Best Hamikdash, that's just a think we do. And everyone does so differently and in different levels. And anger is absolutely a part of grieving, and it shouldn't be equated to being a bad person.

I understand. The Beit Hamikdash was destroyed, and a Mosque was built on top and that means that we probably won't be able to rebuild it exactly the way we had it. We can mourn that, and still understand that a future is possible where both the Third Temple, and the Al-Aqsa Mosque exist side by side, in peace. A future where we won't have to choose between one and the other and we can just all coexist.

The past is painful, of course it is. The present is also kinda painful, ngl. But we can work towards a better future. I believe we can get there, one day.

And Anon, you are not a bad person. You're a person who is suffering. Please don't hurt yourself, if you need a friendly voice by your side, feel free to send an ask off anon that we won't post and I will personally reach out to you

-🐺

[highrouteadventure]

Did you know top 10 Pilgrim destination in Nepal?

Nepal is notable for its amazing traveling areas as well as for being the area of old strict landmarks and customs going back millennia. Similarly, it is accepted that 33 million divine beings and goddesses dwell in Nepal, and different sanctuaries and areas regarding these divinities might be tracked down all through the country.

Nepal is impacted socially by China and India, two of its neighbors. Although Nepal became a secular nation on January 15, 2007, 81.3 percent of its population still adheres to Hinduism. Also, Nepal's strict uniformity is exhibited by the enormous number of sanctuaries, places of worship, mosques, and religious communities.

Besides, Nepal has a rich history with significant people from Buddhist and Hindu folklore. Nepal is said to have been home to or visited by some gods. Nepal, on the other hand, is home to Gautam Buddha, the Asian light, and has a beautiful history that goes back millennia. Hindus and Buddhists also consider a few of Nepal's most ancient holy monuments to be the most sacred places on earth to see or experience redemption. These areas likewise highlight great instances of traditional expressive arts and classical design. These beautiful locales furnish guests with peacefulness and serenity along with an intriguing past.

Rundown of Strict Spots

1. Pashupatinath Temple

The Pashupatinath Temple is viewed as among the holiest locales in Nepal. On the banks of the Bagmati Stream in Kathmandu, it is arranged. This is the most well-known and oldest Hindu temple in Kathmandu. This notable journey site was perceived as a World Legacy Site by UNESCO in 1979.

The globe Pashupatinath represents Hindu lord Siva, who is the god of all Pashus (Animals), both living and non-living. As per its definition, Pashupatinath is the divine force of all living things on The planet. A further sign of the worth of other living things is the assortment of monkey flavors that can be tracked down about the Temple.

2. Lumbini

The well-known Buddhist pilgrimage site Lumbini is located in Nepal's Rupandehi district. Lumbini, the holy birthplace of Gautama Buddha, is our nation's glory. Following the rediscovery of the Ashoka point of support, which had been lost for millennia, by a German paleontologist, this was drafted as an UNESCO World Legacy Site in 1997.

At Lumbini, the sacred lake where Maya Devi, the mother of Master Buddha, used to wash is as yet unblemished. Perhaps of the most profound area on the planet, Lumbini is where travelers come to accomplish inward peacefulness. There are approximately twenty-five foreign-built Buddhist monasteries at Lumbini.

3. Boudhanath Stupa

Inside the Kathmandu Valley is a staggering area known as Boudhanath, home to the Boudhanath stupa. The Boudhanath stupa is a sacred site for Buddhist pilgrims. This holy structure is constructed in the style of a mandala and is the largest dome-shaped stupa in the world.

Boudhanath is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is a popular Buddhist pilgrimage destination for Buddhists from all over the world, including those from Nepal. The stupa is viewed as a consecrated journey site by Buddhists and is found not a long way from Pashupatinath. A hall where monks and pilgrims can chant prayers and pay homage to the Buddha is located directly in front of the stupa.

4. Swayambhunath

Settled on the slope sitting above the Kathmandu valley is the notable and respected Swayambhunath Temple. It is also well-known, as is the Monkey Temple. The Swayambhunath stupa, another religious structure that has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a significant Hindu and Buddhist pilgrimage site in Nepal.

Swoyambhu, which means "self-created," is said to have been born from a lotus flower after a Bodhisattva named Manjushree cut a George at Chovar. The Buddhist chaitya's dome-shaped figure represents the world, while the four eyes on its four sides represent wisdom and compassion.

Because pilgrims from both religions regularly visit the stupa, visitors can observe the practices and rituals of both religions.

5. Muktinath

Temple is situated 3,710 meters above sea level. The Muktinath Temple is a blessed site arranged in Nepal's Colt locale. There is a firm belief that one might be able to end the cycle of birth and rebirth. Additionally, the literal translation of Muktinath's name is "a place for liberation."

The main landmark in Muktinath is a temple to Lord Vishnu in the shape of a pagoda. Behind the "Muktidhara" temple are 108 water fountains where pilgrims bathe in the hope of salvation.

Explorers have two choices: either go on a road trip in a jeep or fly from Kathmandu to Pokhara, then Jomsom. The flight only takes 25 minutes, whereas the drive takes two to three days to get to Muktinath Temple.

6. Manakamana Temple

The Manakamana Temple is a Hindu heavenly site found 105 km west of the capital. It is also believed that their request will be granted after visiting this celestial location. Two words give rise to the name: Mana, which means "heart," and Kamana, which means "wishes."

The staggering four-story Manakamana Temple has a rooftop suggestive of a layered pagoda. The entrance to the temple can be found in Kurintar. Nepal's Manakamana cable car is probably the first of its kind, making it easier for devotees to visit Manakamana Devi and return home in one day.

7. Janaki Temple

The ancient Hindu temple known as Janaki Temple can be found in the Mithila area of the Dhanusa district of Nepal. It is called Janaki Mandir. Janakpur is well-known for religious and cultural tourism due to the Ram-Janaki Temple, a Hindu shrine dedicated to Sita.

Since it took 9 lakh to raise this Temple in 1898, it is frequently alluded to as "Nau lakh mandir." It is a three-story, sixty-room structure with a total area of 4,806 square feet and a height of 50 meters.

King Janak, according to legend, ruled this kingdom during the Ramayana. His daughter Janaki (Sita) made it possible for her to marry Lord Ram here.

8. Pathivara Devi

The Pathivara Devi temple is close to Taplejung and has a height of 3,794 meters (12,448 feet). One of Nepal's most significant religious landmarks is the Pathivara Temple. To get here, it takes time and effort, so it's not an easy feat.

It is said that Pathivara Devi will answer all of our prayers if we worship her in her temple. When the weather is bad, getting to Pathivara is harder and more interesting.

9. Tengboche Monastery

Arranged on a peak at the gathering point of the Dudh Koshi and Imja Khola, the renowned Monastery is concealed by Mount Everest. In the twentieth 100 years, this religious community was constructed. Tengboche monastery is a well-known Buddhist shrine in Nepal, especially for the Sherpa people.

This monastery hosts the renowned Mani Rimdu festival each November. The three-day festivity is featured by the priests' notable cover moves. A look of Tibetan social impact should be visible in the perplexing enhancements, banners, mani stones, and petitions that embellish Tengboche.

10. Gosaikunda

Lake is one of Langtang National Park's largest and most sacred lakes. The Lake is full of pilgrims during Gangadashahara and Janai Purnima, two of Nepal's most important festivals.

Perhaps of the hardest journey in Nepal is the one to Gosaikunda. Because it was once the home of the Hindu idols of Shiva and Gauri, this location is holy and sacred. Outside of the holiday season, there aren't many pilgrims visiting this lake. Notwithstanding, this sacred site takes on an interesting and mysterious environment all through the Christmas season.

[betweenandbeloved]

Three Religions, One Place

I want to take a moment to talk about the weather because I thought Maryland weather was bi-polar, but I think Israel and Palestine might be worse.  In the last few days, the weather has gone from bright and sunny to hazy to raining to snowing.  I kid you not.  Even just today, it was nice and warm in the sun until the wind came in, then we moved up the mountains and it started raining, back into Jerusalem an now it’s snowing.  Needless to say, my body doesn’t really know what to do with this weather anymore.

(A Beautiful sunrise over Bethlehem)

While we had the sunshine in our favor this morning, we left Bethlehem and headed over to Jerusalem.  We left during rush hour, so what is normally a short drive, took rather long. There were cars stopped as far as the eye could see.  That meant we had lots of time to learn about the city.  Jerusalem is the biggest city in the country because of the three monotheistic religions that “share” the holiness of the place.  It was a Canaanite city until David conquered it and united the country.  David moved the capital from Hebron to Jerusalem.  Today, most of Jerusalem is in Israel, East-Jerusalem is in the West Bank, and the Temple Mount is technically under control of Jordan.

We spent the day around The Temple Mount visiting The Western Wall, also called The Wailing Wall, The Rabbinic Tunnel, seeing the top of the Temple Mount and looking at the ruins of the Second Temple with the Southern Steps.  A bit of history about the area where we were:  The Temple Mount is the place where all three monotheistic religions (Christianity, Judaism, Islam) believe Abraham went when God was testing him during the sacrifice of Isaac on Mount Moriah (Genesis 22: 1-19).  Each religion has its own beliefs on what else may have happened in that spot, but for the sake of simplicity, we will leave it at that.

(The Temple Mount with ruins from the Second Temple)

David was the first to build an altar on Mount Moriah (1 Chronicles 21:26) and Solomon built the First Temple (2 Chronicles 3:1), which was destroyed in 587 BCE.  It wasn’t until Herod the Great (remember him?) came around and built the Second Temple in 516 BCE, which was destroyed in 70 CE.  The Second Temple is where Jesus went to make sacrifices with his family and where he preached and taught the people in Jerusalem. When the Second Temple was destroyed, just the buildings and walls on top of the plaza were destroyed, the retaining walls and courtyard remained, making it possible to rebuild.  In 637 CE, Muslims conquered Jerusalem and built the Dome of the Rock on top of The Temple Mount.  (Insert a thousand years of history and conflict) After the Israeli State took back the land in 1967, control over the Temple Mount was given to Waqf under Jordanian authority to care for and maintain the site while Israel provides security.

Today, this is still the site of Arab-Israeli conflict as evident in some of the interactions we experienced today.  Jews are not allowed to go to the top of The Temple Mount and only Muslims are allowed to pray on The Temple Mount. Jews can pray at The Western wall, making this an important place, and the holiest place for them to pilgrimage to.

We spent some time at The Western Wall visiting and taking time for prayer.  I took a pen and a small piece of paper to write a prayer on and per custom, I shoved it into a crack in the wall.  People bring prayers from all over the world to place at the wall.  The custom started when people were unable to make the journey, they would send their prayers with those who visited, asking them to place it in the wall so they could pray by proxy.  The prayers are gathered twice a year and buried on the Mount of Olives.

After visiting the wall, we ventured up to The Temple Mount to visit the space.  As we are not Muslim we could not go inside the Mosque, nor bring any religious books that could be used for prayer, nor could we pray.  We were purely allowed to walk around and look at the space.  The mosque was beautiful but it was cool to imagine what the Second Temple would have looked like and imagine the experience Jesus might have had there.

(Dome of the Rock)

We left the Temple Mount and ventured through the Muslim quarter of the city where we passed some shops and homes on our way to see the ancient ruins of the Second Temple.  We got to see the original steps (Southern Steps) where it is likely Jesus sat and gathered people to teach.  We also could see the remains of shops where money changers might have been.  We know Jesus flipped tables in the Temple Mount (Matthew 21:12-13 or Mark 11:15-18) but we don’t know if it could have been these shops at the base of the Temple or further up.  Regardless, it was cool to walk on the stones where Jesus walked.

(Sitting on the Southern Steps leading into the Temple Mount)

After some time in devotion on the steps, we went to the Rabbinic Tunnels which were excavated underneath the Muslim quarter along the Western Wall of the city.  It was cool to see the foundation of the Temple and marvel is the beauty of Herod the Great’s work.  Of the two groups who went through the tunnel, one of the tour guides was a Zionist which provided a very interesting perspective, on the whole area of the Temple Mount. I was not in that group, but it was a subject of conversation around some of the comments the guide made in relation to the tension/relationship between Islam and Judaism in this place.

When we finished in the tunnels, we moved on to visit Herodium, the site where Herod the Great was buried.  Let me tell you, this guy was a real jerk, but he sure did some amazing things during his time on earth.  I mean, the Temple Mount is exquisite (what still remains today at least), and some of the cities we’ve been to Sepphoris, Meggido, Cesarea Maritime they’re all just outstanding.  Herodium was home to another first-century synagogue, a water system, and Herod the Greats tomb which was discovered recently in 2007.

It was cool to see, but the wind was getting insanely out of control while we were on top of the mountain and it started to rain a dirty muddy rain.  The wind was so strong I felt like I was getting blown away and I had a terrible time trying to keep myself warm.  It was definitely a crazy experience; especially because everyone said this weather comes for one day a year, so we lucked out on that one.

These days are so amazing and full of new learning opportunities, but I’m getting more tired with each day.  Now we are entering into the present day conflict enmeshed in the time of Jesus and it’s getting harder to put together my feelings on everything.  To think The Temple Mount - something so holy to three of the world’s major religions is a huge site of conflict, isn’t surprising, but it does kind of hurt my soul.  We went through 5 checkpoints today just to get around the area of the Temple Mount, Western Wall, and the Plaza at the Western Wall. I wish there was a way for the world to live at peace, to recognize our differences but not let them define everything.

We are in Jerusalem for the next few days and I’m excited to continue exploring the footsteps of Jesus and learning more about this place that is so holy to so many people.

[eretzyisrael]

In this fourth article in the Continuing the Dialog – Take 2 Series, I am dealing with my hate-mailer’s decision – to respond to the assertion that he is apparently mainly a stereotypical Anti-Semitic conspiracy theorist. His method this time is to resort to the common tactic of the Israel-hater – fiction. Here, he makes the fictional claim that the Jews are trying to destroy Muslim holy sites. And he does this, while simultaneously depicting the Arabs as the party in the Arab-Israeli conflict who are wonderfully respectful of the holy sites and beliefs of others.

To wit, my hate-mailer’s remarkable retort: “Palestinians couldve destroyed Jewish temples and the holy wall Jewish people have in Jerusalem like what Israel is doing at the moment by digging under al aqsa mosque, but they didn’t, even though Muslims ruled the place for centuries they never hitlered Jews.”

****************************

It is also amazing, that in trying to counter the claim that you are a hateful conspiracy theorist, that you bring up another absurd conspiracy theory – one that has over the years resulted in many Jews being killed – namely the libelous claim that Jews are somehow trying to destroy Al-Aqsa. It is also surreal that you are comparing Israel’s respect for other people’s holy sites and trying to claim that Arabs fare well in comparison.

As a preliminary matter, let’s address your claim that “palestinians couldve destroyed jewish temples and the holy wall.”

First, the idea of a Palestinian people did not even come into existence until the 20th Century. Second, going back over at least the last 500 years (with rare exceptions that do not bode well for Arab respect for Jewish holy sites), Arabs rarely had any control over Jerusalem or any of the holy sites in the land of Israel. Second, the notion that Arabs treated our holy sites with any semblance of respect is laughable. Under the Ottomans from 1517 to 1917, access to the Kotel (Western Wall) was greatly restricted and under Jordanian control (from 1948-67) it was essentially treated like a place for dogs and donkeys to go to the bathroom (and it has never [EVER] been under “Palestinian” control).

That the Arabs and Ottomans, however, never destroyed the Kotel is certainly nothing to brag about considering that the Western Wall is the base wall for the Temple Mount itself and destroying the Western Wall would destroy not only the holiest site in the world to Jews, but also the Al Aqsa Mosque and Dome of the Rock (which were built literally on top of the holiest site in the world to Jews and at the site of the two ancient Jewish Temples in Jerusalem). As an aside, if you ever want to know who are the colonizers and who are the colonized, just look at which party builds their holy sites on top of the others.

As for your claim about Jews trying to destroy Muslim sites by “digging under Al Aqsa Mosque” this claim is part of a very old and hateful Anti-Semitic canard that the Arabs have often deployed in order to gin up hatred against Jews. Sadly, there’s a long history to Arab claims that Jews have threatened (or as you claim, are threatening) Al-Aqsa, dating all the way to at least 1921. These claims have always been proven false, but often not before Jews have been murdered as a result. These claims are mendacious. Part “call to arms,” part conspiracy theory, and ironically, part very obvious psychological projection, due to past actions against Jewish holy sites that fell into Arab control.

The Nazi collaborator, and Mufti of Jerusalem, Haj Amin Al-Husseini, was one of the early adopters of this libel. His claims back in 1928 and 1929 that the Jews were seeking to damage Muslim holy sites, including Al Aqsa, led to numerous Arab riots and massacres, including the massacre in Hebron in 1929 that led to every Jew in Hebron being murdered or ethnically cleansed from the city. These same claims in more modern times – always utterly fake and with no credible evidence behind them – have often served as the basis for more recent violence against Jews, with numerous perpetrators of the stabbing attacks of the last 2 plus years – as part of the “knife intifada” – claiming that they decided to stab a Jew in order to “protect Al Aqsa.”

It is sad, that while these lies are so plainly false and absurd given the way Israel and the Jewish people actually treat all peoples’ holy sites; the Arabs in the region, having been inundated all of their lives with Arab and Islamist Supremacist hate for the other (and in particular, the Jew) so readily believe and act on those lies (often violently).

Let’s look at the reality of how Israel has treated and respected Muslim holy sites. First, right after liberating the Old City of Jerusalem from its Jordanian occupiers, Israel handed control of the Temple Mount to the Islamic Trust, or Waqf, and forbade any Jewish religious rite on the entire Mount (not just in the mosques), a “status quo” it has maintained to this day.

So, after vanquishing in barely 6 days three enemy countries who were promising a war of annihilation against Israel just a few days earlier, and after liberating the Jewish people’s holiest site, Israel proceeded to immediately hand religious control over that site to those same Arabs who had been promising to exterminate us. Can anyone credibly imagine Israel’s enemies being so benevolent?

Second, Israel has not conducted any excavations, archaeological or otherwise, under the Temple Mount, the Dome of the Rock or Al Aqsa. The only significant excavation in recent times was actually carried out by the Islamic Waqf on the site formerly known as Solomon’s Stables, now the El-Marwani Mosque. And that excavation by the Waqf was a crime against history and archaeology, where the Waqf oversaw the massive destruction of over 3000 years plus of archaeological treasures. So other than in the fantasies of the Anti-Semitic conspiracy theory addled brains of the Israel-haters, there is simply no basis for the claim that Israel is “digging under Al Aqsa.”

Third, Israeli control of the Old City of Jerusalem in the last half century has meant that for the first time in centuries there is absolutely full freedom of worship for all religious beliefs and practices in Jerusalem. Can the same be said in any Arab controlled lands?

As for the other absurd part of your claim that – “palestinians couldve destroyed jewish temples and the holy wall jewish people have in jerusalem like what israel is doing at the moment” – you really need to just do a modicum of research into your claims before you reduce them to writing.

Upon the Jordanian Arab Legion’s capture of the Old City of Jerusalem, after all of the Jewish residents were forcibly expelled, the Jordanians destroyed 58 synagogues, and looted and desecrated their contents. In fact, one of the synagogues which were maliciously destroyed, the famous Hurva synagogue, was where my grandfather had his Bar-Mitzvah in 1913.

The Jewish cemetery in the Mount of Olives, where we Jews have been burying our dead for over 2,500 years, was desecrated, and over 38,000 tombstones were smashed and used for building material, paving stones, or for latrines in Arab Legion Army camps. The Kotel (Western Wall) was turned into a slum area and Jews were not allowed to visit there.

More recently, Palestinian Arabs, when given any semblance of control over Jewish holy sites have resembled more the Taliban blowing up Buddhist cultural treasures and ISIS’s rampage over Christian holy sites than the tolerant pluralistic beings you seem to fantasize about.

On October 7, 2000, after constant attacks by Palestinian mobs since the Palestinian Authority was first given control of the area in 1995, the Jewish holy site of Joseph’s Tomb in Nablus (Shechem) was sacked and burned. Five days later, the ancient Shalom Al Yisrael synagogue in Jericho was sacked and burned too. And the Waqf, as described above,  in order to complete new underground mosques under the location of the holiest site in all of Judaism, closed off the Temple Mount entirely to any archaeological oversight by the Israel Antiquities Authority, used massive earth moving equipment and dump trucks (when they should have used archaeological tools and tooth brushes) and removed to city garbage dumps some 13,000 tons of rubble from the Temple Mount that included countless archaeological remnants from the First and Second Temple periods.

Bottom line, any claim that Israelis (or as Mahmoud Abbas recently said “the Jews with their filthy feet”) are desecrating Arab or Muslim holy sites or endangering such sites is based on two things – massive Jew-hatred, which has sadly infected a large part of the Arab controlled world (as viciously as it had gripped large parts of Europe in the first half of the 20th Century) and a classic case of psychological projection. It is hateful and libelous. It is also, as evidenced by the dozens of Jews killed by Arabs motivated to murder and riot by such libels, extremely dangerous. You should be ashamed of yourself for propagating such libels.

Unfortunately, you are probably beyond shame or redemption on these issues. But one can hope. After all, “The Hope” is the name of Israeli national anthem.

[diariesofahajji]

Al Quds

One has so many ideas of what a trip to Bait al Maqdis would be like. There is so much rich history and architecture here. There are so many Aqsa Ziyarah guides to read, but so little time. There are so many references to the Holy City in the Quraan and hadith. The same can be said about Makkah and Madina. When people get to these places, many become flustered about which building is which, which parts are holier than the others (which part of the Raudah tul Jannah is the most rewarding for me, must I read Salaatul Tawaaf in front of the Maqam e Ibrahim???, is it better to read salaah in Masjid e Qibly or Qubbatul Saqarat - Dome of the Rock???). In truth, Allah selected Makkah for the building of Baitullah because it is directly under His ‘Arsh (Throne) and He picked Aqsa as the Holy City because it is directly under Sidratul Muntahaa. The Aqsa compound and Haram boundary are literally holy areas of land. One may pray anywhere within the boundaries and receive abundant reward for it. There is no need to worry about which gate one should enter from, or which section of the masjid is the holiest. One needn't worry about which supplication was read by a particular prophet in a particular Haram. The anxiety tends to be distracting. Yes, the supplications are truly beautiful and very fitting, but God knows our hearts better than we do. You do not need to ask God to forgive you in the exact words that Prophet Aadam (AS) used when he was cast away from Paradise. You don't need to memorise the supplication of the youth in the Cave of the Sleepers when making ziyarah there. One need only search one's own hearts, rest one's face down in honest and sincere sujood (bowing), facing Makkah in any of these holy cities, and all barriers between God and His servants dissappear. However, this is just my humble opinion. Now on to the reason you're reading this post: Al Quds, and more importantly Masjid Al Aqsa. After a delayed flight and negligible amount of sleep, we arrived at the Jordan-Israel border. Many in the group were tense, having shared stories from people who've been, about how they were treated at the border. It was slightly confusing, as there was one Israeli border agent who wished us all Hajj Mabroor with a big smile on his face, and then there were others who gave us steely looks and avoid any unnecessary contact. After some unnecessary waiting in a room (for about 2 or 3 hours) we were given our visas and ‘allowed’ to enter Israel. As we drove through a tunnel our Imam told us to keep our eyes peeled to the left of the bus as we exited it, and there it was in all its splendour, like a giant nugget of gold in a sand-heap: Qubbatus Saqqara (Dome of the Rock). I must give a huge shout out to the Umayyid Khaliph, Abdul Malik bin Marwan, for being so extra when he commissioned the building of the Dome of the Rock in 691 AD. It is truly breath-taking, at all times of the day and from every angle. Completely over the top, because its sole purpose is to enclose the rock formation which is most likely the location from which Prophet Muhammad ascended to the heavens for Mehraj. Nonetheless, beautiful it is and quite inviting for someone looking for a pretty spot to pray in. Directly across from it is Masjid e Qibly which was originally commissed by Umar ibn Khattab as a wooden structure that could house 3,000 congregants, but which was destroyed by earthquakes. Masjid e Qibly in its current form was built by the Umayyad Khalif Abdul Malik’s son Walid. A much more humble-looking mosque, but still there is an aire of peacefulness in its simplicity, with less for the eye to be distracted by. Our tour guide told us that building masjids around historically significant sites or around empty structures which commemorate dead Prophets, Sahaabas and saints, are all innovations and can lead people down paths very dangerously close to shirk (worshipping others besides Allah). It is so easy to walk into a masjid here and immediately feel tempted to whip out your phone and snap away at rock formations, or names of dead prophets on plaques. The tour guide said that prayer should be the first thing you do in a mosque, directed to God alone, and I fully agree. As beautiful as it all is, the supposed location where Mehraj happened does not matter. What matters is that Mehraj happened. Whether or not the Buraq was tied to a ring on a wall, the way a mortal animal gets tied up, is not important. What is important was that the other-worldly creature bore the Prophet of God beyond all the known physical layers of space and time, to a realm that no creature has entered before. The true essence of Aqsa is the imagery conjured up by its history. The imagery of the Jinns building mosques under the orders of Prophet Suleyman AS. The imagery of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ being transported from Masjid al Haram to Al Aqsa (the journey of Isra’) and then up to the heavens for a direct discussion with God (mehraj). The imagery of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ returning to Aqsa (once bare and mountainous lands, with none of the current mosques yet built) and leading 124,000 prophets in prayer as Imaam. When I contemplate this number of blessed congregants, it is hard not to imagine that a Prophet of God once stood where I am sitting right this moment, in Masjid e Qibly. The imagery of Umar ibn Khattab RA entering Baitul Maqdis with the Muslim army and the Mu'athin of Masjid e Nabawi, Bilal, to claim the city, years after Prophet Muhammad ﷺ had died. The imagery of Bilal being asked to recite the call to prayer and the tears that flowed from the entire army when he began, as all the men remembered the sight of their beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ leaving his home to walk to his mehrab for prayer during the recitation of athaan, a sight they will never see again. The imagery of the Christian soldiers looking on at this sight, and wondering what kind of man could stir such emotions in his followers. The imagery of the 2nd Khaliph of Islam signing a declaration offering safety and freedom of religious expression to all citizens within the city (this was long before the Declaration of Independence, mind you, and was the first document of its kind). The imagery of the slaughter of the Muslims, Christians and Jews living within the city at the hands of the Templar Knights many years later. The imagery of Salahuddin Ayoobi and his army recapturing Al Quds from the Templar Knights, offering the same terms of safety and religious freedoms as Umar ibn Khattab RA did. This is what brings tears to the eyes of those who visit Aqsa. The notion of what this blessed land means to so many people from so many faiths. The notion (as my family and I have been told by several Palestinians) that this land belongs to all Muslims, not just those born within its borders. All have claim to pray here, by the commandment of God, which is much stronger than those of any politician. This makes coming here so much more imperative. The things I feel cannot be adequately described in words. They have to be felt.

[xtruss]

Here's What Could Be Lost if Trump Bombs Iran's Cultural Treasures

From a dome with unfathomably complex geometric patterns (said to resemble a peacock’s tail) to the 17th century Bridges of Isfahan – here is a guide to some of Iran's cultural treasures that Trump has threatened

Inside the Sheik Loftallah mosque, in Isfahan, Iran. It is a Unesco world heritage site.

The US President has warned Iran he will obliterate its cultural sites. Here is our guide to the nation’s jewels, from hilltop citadels to a disco-ball mausoleum

If carried out, Donald Trump’s threat to target “cultural sites” in Iran would put him into an axis of architectural evil alongside the Taliban and Isis, both of which have wreaked similar forms of destruction this century. The Taliban dynamited Afghanistan’s sixth-century Buddhas of Bamiyan in 2001; Isis has destroyed mosques, shrines and other structures across Iraq and Syria since 2014, some in the ancient city of Palmyra. Not, you might have thought, company the US president would prefer to be associated with.

Does Trump know what would be lost? Probably not – but he’s hardly the only one. The fact that the country is rarely visited by western tourists is not due to a lack of attractions. With a civilisation dating back 5,000 years, and over 20 Unesco world heritage sites, Iran’s cultural heritage is rich and unique, especially its religious architecture, which displays a mastery of geometry, abstract design and pre-industrial engineering practically unparalleled in civilisation. This is is not just Iran’s cultural heritage, it is humanity’s.

Persepolis

Persepolis was the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid empire and one of the world’s greatest archaeological sites.

The jewel in Iran’s archaeological crown: a monumental complex dating back to the sixth century BC that was designed to impress – with a vast raised terrace, grand staircases and marble palaces and temples. The city has been sacked by numerous visitors, starting with Alexander the Great, but much still remains for Trump to obliterate, including some incredibly well-preserved statues and bas reliefs of bulls, lions, mythical creatures and citizens of the multicultural Achaemenid empire.

Shah Cheragh mosque, Shiraz

Shah Cheragh mosque, Shiraz, Iran.

The name translates as “King of the Light” and with good reason. Relatively typical-looking from the outside, this mausoleum’s interior is entirely covered in intricate geometric designs of mirrored mosaic tile, creating a cosmic, otherworldly lightshow. It is a sombre place of pilgrimage but the effect has been likened to being inside a giant, Islamic disco ball. Just the sort of thing a hotelier with a penchant for shiny things might appreciate.

Vank Cathedral

Interior of dome of Vank (Armenian) Cathedral, Isfahan, Iran.

Iran has a long Christian history, particularly associated with Armenia at its northwestern border. Three of the oldest churches in the region are Unesco world heritage sites. Vank Cathedral, near Isfahan, was built by Armenians fleeing the Ottoman wars in the 17th century. The interior is a riotous patchwork of frescoes and gilded carvings.

Bridges of Isfahan

Si-o-Se-Pol Bridge (33 Arches bridge) over the Zayanderud river in Isfahan.

Western visitors marvelled at the beauty and sophistication of the long, covered bridges of Iran’s former capital, mostly built during the 17th century. They are feats of engineering but also pure functionality. The stately, 130m-long Khaju Bridge, for example, served as a dam and sluice gate to control the Zayanderud river as well as a way to cross it, while its central aisle was a shaded public meeting space boasting a tea house.

Sheik Lotfallah mosque, Isfahan

Sheik Lotfallah mosque in Isfahan.

Not the largest mosque in the city but one of the most stupendously ornate, since it was built for the royal court rather than the general public. Its interior contains some of the finest tilework to be found anywhere in the world, especially the dome with its unfathomably complex geometric patterns, said to resemble a peacock’s tail – testament to untold millions of hours of care and labour.

Imam Reza Shrine, Mashhad

This is the largest mosque in the world, one of the holiest sites in the holiest city in Iran, with over 25 million visitors a year. The destruction of this mosque complex would be unforgivable to many of the world’s Muslims. As well as the tomb of Imam Reza, the eighth Shia imam, and numerous other religious figures, the complex is home to mosques, courtyards, a madrasa, and a museum containing priceless historical artefacts.

Pasargadae

The first capital of the Achaemenid empire, built by Cyrus the Great in a distinctive style, with spectacular columned palaces and other buildings laid out across large gardens divided by waterways. This influential Persian garden style was a prototype for Asian design, the inspiration for India’s Taj Mahal and Spain’s Alhambra. The buildings are mostly remnants, though one surviving structure is the supposed tomb of Cyrus himself.

Tomb of Daniel

The tomb of prophet Daniel, Susa, Iran.

Even if he hasn’t actually read his supposed favourite book – The Bible – Trump is likely familiar with Daniel, AKA that dude with the lions. He might be surprised to discover Daniel – a prophet in Islam as well as Christianity – is presumed to be buried in the ancient Iranian city of Susa. Daniel’s Tomb, with its distinctive conical dome, was first chronicled in the 12th century and is still a popular pilgrimage site.

The Citadel of Bam

The largest adobe building in the world, dating back to the sixth century BC. It is more a hilltop town than a single structure, spread across 180,000 sq metres (44 acres), with a central fortress surrounded by streets, houses and bazaars, all surrounded by seven metre-high walls. Bam was largely destroyed in an earthquake in 2003 but reconstruction has been going on ever since.

Gonbad-e Kavus

Gonbad-e Kavus tower in Golestan, Iran.

Another example of ancient Iranian excellence in both engineering and style. This 50 metre-tall funerary tower dates back to the early 11th century, and a millennium later it is still apparently the tallest brick tower in the world. The design is beautifully austere, a 10-pointed star in plan, with a conical roof, completely plain save for two bands of calligraphy around the bottom and the top.

— Guardian USA

[emunenen]

Makao Bora

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Top Ten Most Beautiful Mosques

Islam is one of the major religions on the African continent.

With over 400 million adherents and growing, Islam is going to be on the African continent for a long time. Apart from being a religion, Islam has also influenced architecture in many parts of Africa. The beautiful mosques which can be found in most countries are proof of that. Here are some of the most beautiful mosques on our continent:

   Great Mosque Of Djenné, Mali

This mosque opened its doors in 1907 and is considered one of the largest mud (adobe) structures in the world.

  Alabaster Mosque, Egypt

Also known as the Great Mosque of Muhammad Ali Pasha, the Alabaster mosque was built in the 19th century. It sits atop a citadel in Cairo and is modelled after the Yeni Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey.

  Hassan II Mosque, Morocco

This mosque is considered the largest in Africa as it can house over 100,000 worshippers. The mosque sits on a platform in the Atlantic Ocean and took 7 years to build.

  Great Mosque of Algiers, Algeria

This mosque was built in the 11th century and said to be one of the oldest mosques in Algeria.

  Masjid Al-Nilin, Sudan

This mosque bears a very modern look and was built in the 1970’s. It sits just opposite of the confluence of the two Niles in Sudan.

  National Mosque in Kampala, Uganda

Also known as Gadaffi Mosque, this mosque can hold 15,000 worshippers and is a tourist attraction in Uganda.

  Great Mosque of Touba, Senegal

This mosque was built in the 19th century and is the largest building in the city of Touba. It holds 7,000 worshippers and is characterised by its contrasting blue and green domes/minarets.

  National Mosque in Abuja, Nigeria

This mosque is located in the heart of the Nigerian capital city, Abuja. Its gold dome is a prominent feature of the Abuja skyline.

  The Great Mosque of Kairouan, Tunisia

Also known as the Uqba Mosque, the great mosque of Kairouan is one of the holiest Islamic sites in North Africa. It was built in 670 AD.

  Nizamiye Mosque, South Africa

Located in Johannesburg, this mosque was completed in 2012. Its design is based off that of the 16th-century Selimiye Mosque in Turkey.

  Which is you most beautiful of the 10? Comment your choice below.

[jtownarch]

Old City, New Perspective

When studying Jerusalem, there is no better place to start than in the Old City.

About a kilometer squared in area, the walled in Old City that -fun fact- originally made up the whole of the City of Jerusalem now acts as a religious, political and social hub. As new interns we went on a free walking tour offered by Sandeman Tours at the entrance to  the Old City by Jaffa Gate (highly recommend btw). While we have both been lucky enough to live in the Old City, this tour gave us a unique opportunity to speak to and learn from the perspective of a certified tour guide. Um, hello Maya and Racheli, what have you been doing there till now...?! Yea, we get it..

If ya didn’t know the Old City of Jerusalem currently holds four quarters: The Muslim, Christian, Armenian, and Jewish quarters. Our tour began outside Jaffa Gate, from which we headed into The Armenian Quarter…

Not so far away from Israel, in a land between Turkey and Georgia, sits Armenia. The Armenians that have been living in the Old City for centuries are predominantly of Christian faith and consider their quarter to be a subsection of The Christian Quarter. Though the Armenian Quarter is small in size and population, with around only 500 residents, they feel very connected to the land because they’ve immigrated here for religious reasons as well as to seek safety from the Armenian Genocide in the Ottoman Empire during the early 1900s. (Why so many genocides people come on.) On our tour we visited mostly residential buildings which were easily identifiable by the last names we saw at their doors. If you’re wondering what little identifier can help with Armenian names, think KardashIAN. The “ian” at the end of a name makes it pretty obvious that the person is Armenian. Most, if not all of the architecture in this quarter resembles those in the other quarters in addition to also having its own architectural landmarks and historical structures. However, it is easy to see when you have crossed over into the next quarter... The Jewish Quarter.

With a little under 3,000 residents, the Jewish Quarter is rich in both history and contemporary life. Between 1948 and 1967, the Jewish Quarter was under Jordanian control, and the Jordanian government did little to explore or develop the area. However, after Israel annexed East Jerusalem in the 1967 War AKA the 6-Day War the first thing the government did in this area was dig, research and develop.

We observed both the excavations and modern day life that exists there (which included  multiple face-plants because of the slippery stone floors), one can see the layers of development, planning and improvement that have taken place. Discoveries include the fortification walls, AKA the Cardo, around the ancient old city that were built in order to withstand the Assyrian siege around 701 BC. The ruins of the Cardo indicate the ancient layout of the Roman market that ran through the quarter millenia  before any of the restaurants we see now existed. Dayum.

Today a main draw of going through the quarter is to reach the Western Wall, AKA The Kotel, a holy site to many religions. To the Jews it is the last standing piece of the Second Holy Temple, and people come from all over the world to pray at this spot. Throughout the Old City, but especially in the Jewish Quarter, are many lookouts in which you can see The Golden Dome, the most current structure on top of the Temple Mount. The Jewish significance of the Temple Mount dates back to when Abraham was told to sacrifice his son Isaac in this spot as a test of allegiance to God; according to Jewish tradition, it’s also thought to be the point from which the universe was created! Two Jewish temples have stood on the Temple Mount; the first built by King Solomon and destroyed by King Nebuchadnezzar with the Babylonian army; the second built by King Herod and destroyed by King Titus with the Roman army. The history is so intense!

When looking at the Temple Mount today from any of the many viewpoints in the Quarter, you can see the huge platform King Herod built in order to expand the foundation of Har Moriah, AKA the Temple Mount, so that he could build a more glorious Second Temple. That is why the excavations of the Hizkiyahu tunnels next to and underneath the Western Wall are so far down underground. You can see all the archeological layers of earth and the aqueducts that are there, which represent the level at which ancient villages and life existed at a particular time. It’s like going back in time..! Similar to these layers of earth, over the centuries, each layer of history has added up to reach what we call today ‘ground level’.  

 Continuing through the Muslim Quarter’s narrow alleys, past its market filled with stalls of merchants selling jewelry and spices, and down more slippery slopes, we reached a viewing point that overlooks the Western Wall. From this view we saw the whole expanse of the wall including the the Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa Mosque which lies behind it. In Islamic culture the Dome of the Rock signifies one of their three most holy sites. It is believed to be the spot in which Mohammed came to from Mecca on his flying horse to receive the 5 pillars of Islam and from where he then returned to Mecca in the same night. Taking a closer look, you can see a plethora of arabesques and geometry simultaneously and seamlessly working together to create the pattern that is easily recognizable today as classic Islamic design. They additionally create a juxtaposition that is meant to signify that the Quran is organized and should be read and followed as a guide to living life similar to the Indian Kamasutra, Jewish Torah, and Christian New Testament. The building of the Dome of the Rock was initially completed in 691 CE, however the first structure collapsed and so had to be rebuilt 1023, which is what we see today. Food for thought… why did it collapse? Considering all the politics and religious tension what would happen if it collapsed again today…?

After this we walked to and stopped in front of a Muslim home. A poster hung from the arch above the door. On it were images of the 3 holiest sites in Islamic culture: the Kaaba, the Dome of the Rock and the Al-Masjid an-Nabawi. A Muslim family hangs this poster by their home after they have visited all 3 sites, completing the Hajj, and they are given a tremendous honor for doing so. They are symbolically knighted, and given a term signifying their journey that is added to their last name. In addition to hanging this poster it is common to see a picture of the face of Saladin who is a prominent figure in their history, the Ayyubid Sultan who led the army that defeated the Crusaders in 1187. Muslims that live in this area are very proud of their local history as well as the aesthetic that has developed.

Interestingly from an urban design and planning point of view, the Arab shuk that lines the main roads within the Muslim Quarter was not intentionally planned out , but it seems to have  simply developed organically over time based on local needs and culture. . Now its beauty and intricacies have made it into a destination, drawing tourists from all over the world.

Last but not least, and although small in population size, the Christian Quarter holds over 40 holy Christian sites and landmarks – woah. The most important of these is the Church of The Holy Sepulchre. It is one of the holiest places in the world to Christian tradition. Inside is the site where Jesus was crucified, and the empty tomb which is said to be where he was buried and then rose from. While it is the headquarters to the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, control of the church is split between several sects of Christianity due to historic tensions over control of the Holy Land (see for example the history of  the Crimean War). Part of why nothing ever changes within or around the church - take for  example this  famous ladder that has stood for years on a ledge outside of the church) is that all involved sects must agree on the change, and the process by which one would need to get that unanimous approval is essentially impossible.

The story goes, when Muslims were in charge of Jerusalem they got hold of the key to the church; in recent times, the various Christian sects couldn’t agree on who would recieve the key, and so there is a neutral East-Jerusalem Muslim family who comes  every morning for generations to unlock the church. Seeing the way in which this quarter developed over the centuries, and how eventually the religious and political tensions brought in a neutral third party to help solve sensitive problems, is super interesting. This story shows how all can benefit from this complex  space even if it is  filled with intra-religious tensions. You should really come check it all out for yourself...

The tour, though a little hot, was a perfect way for us to begin our summer. As our aim for the summer includes understanding  Jerusalem in everything from the layout of its streets to the energy that emanates from its residents, it would be impossible to fully grasp the city if we did not start at its roots. Walking the streets of the OG city helped us to fully understand how and why the city has become the place that it is today. We saw the centuries of trial and error and viewed the pieces, now artifacts, that once made up the life of the city, and that continue to do so in an amazing way.