Lecture 16: Mamluk and Ottoman Jerusalem

We went back an finished up a few more details regarding Islamic Jerusalem before starting the new lecture on Mamluk and Ottoman Jerusalem. During the Abbasid Dynasty, Cliph Al-Ma-mun took credit for the building of the Dome of the Rock but forgets to erase the date of its real construction during the 72nd year of the Moslem era. The Caliph continued the policy of accepting Jewish prophets but did not agree with their beliefs. There was also increased hostility between Muslims and Christians when Muhammid al-Sanhaji killed John, the Christian patriarch of Jerusalem. When the Fatimids came to power, they were a minority group within Islam. Depending on who was in power at the time, tolerance of other faiths varied. In 1009 CE, Caliph al-Hakim destroys the Holy Sepulcher. We see that many Muslim regimes fighting each other.

The Mamluk rule of Jerusalem was from 1250-1516. The Mamluks were owned soliders of slave origins that later converted to Islam. Their rule was not really a dynasty. During this time Jerusalem becomes more of religious center than a political center. Some of the Mamluks gained regional power and others became sultans. Jerusalem was politically and militarily insignificant because it was no longer a walled city and was a place of political exile. The Mamluks built up the temple mount and used Muqarnas in their architecture. They also set up Qur'anic schools called Madrasas. In addiction, they built public water fountains and hospices. They helped to restore the Dome of the Rock and the al-Aqsa Mosque.

Later during Ottoman rule of Jerusalem from 1516-1918, Jerusalem regains a strong centralized government. The Ottomans took Constantinople in 1453. Although their rule was very long, they lost control of Jerusalem temporarily to Mohammed Ali of Egypt in 1831 but restored control in 1840. One very influential ruler of the time was Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent who ruled from 1520-1566. Under his rule, there were many public works projects done. He rebulit the walls of Jerusalem large and higher, refurbished the temple mount and its monuments, renovated the markets, and enlarges the aqueducts and Sultan's pool. All of his actions were to make Jerusalem comparable to Mecca and Medina as the third great city. The law of the land was based on the laws outlined by the Qur'an. We also see that Jews were encouraged to resettle in the land and as a result tthe Jewish population in the city increased. In addition to the political significance of the city, Suleiman also built up the spiritual importance of the city as well by restoring the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and granting concessions to various religious groups. Jews were given a place to pray at the Western Wall of the Temple Mount.