The History Of Jerusalem in the Ottoman Age

Introduction:

– The people of Jerusalem handed the keys of the city to the Ottomans before the reign of the Mamelukes was over.

-This era was rich in the social, urban, and artistic development movements, like building Takayah (sort of almshouses) and mosques.

Sultan Suleiman Al-Qanouni – 1651 (969 AH.):

– During his reign, Sultan Suleiman Al-Qanouni replaced the mosaic that was on the exterior wall of the Dome of the Rock with the blue glazed tiles that are still there until today.

–  Also, he restored and reconstructed most of Al-Aqsa Mosque’s building.

– Moreover, he initiated the defense system of the city, secured its walls, and provided it with springs and water.

–  Sultan Mahmoud II continued his work in the restoration of Al-Aqsa Mosque’s buildings, and then sultan Abdul Aziz and Sultan Abdul Majid followed their footsteps.

Sultan Abdul Hamid II – 1876 (1293 AH.):

– He’s one of the last and greatest Sultans in the Ottoman empire.

– He refused to hand the city over to the Jews, and he stood against their greed and desire to destroy the Islamic landmarks in Jerusalem.

–  Also, he commissioned the calligrapher Mohammed Shafiq to write “YaSin” Surah in the Thuluth Islamic calligraphy around the Holy Rock, and commissioned Abdullah Al-Zuhri to write it in the Sacred Mosque in Mecca and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah.

The Ottoman Archeology:

– Following are some of the most famous archeological buildings and sites in Jerusalem from the Ottoman era:

1. The Ottoman domes, like Al-Arwah, Al-Khader, Yusuf, and Annabi Domes

2 . The railroad between Jerusalem and Jaffa

3 . Al-Baladi Hospital, west of the city

4 . The Ottoman solitude places, which are places for scholars and ascetics to go into reclusion, for contemplation, worshipping, and schooling