Palestin: Religion


Figure 1.--Jeursalem is an important site to three of the world's great religions. This photograph was taken in Jerusalem during the 1920s. I'm not sure about the precise location. We see an Arab boy riding a donkey on the city streets. Notice that there is virtually no sign of the 20th century.

The importance of Palestine in the modern era is to a large extent is due to its religious significance. It is astounding to think how three of the world's great relgions are attached to Palestine in a major way. Two of the world's great relgions (Judiaism and Christianity) were founded there and the reglion has a major Islamic site. One wonders how this could be the case. Logically it seems unlikely. We suspect that the location of Palestine astride trade routes and the resulting intelectual cross-fertilization was a powerful factor here. This would be amazing enough in such a small land, but all three religions focus their attention on a small area of Jeruselum--explaining why the status of that city is such a difficult political issue. Jerusalem is especially important and the location of many charity houses, churches, monasteries, mosques, schools, and other buildings of religious importance. The buildings are located on the slopes of Al-Tur mountain and inside the walls of the old city of Jerusalem. Sites of religious importance are not just located in Jerusalem , but throughout Palestine. The Jews see sites throughout Palestine mentioned in the Torah and other Old Testament books. Jeursalem was the Jewish capital and the sight of Solomon's temple. There are many important Christian sites in Palestine such as Bethlehsam and Nasareth and the Jordan River. Jerusalem was where Christ was crucified. Muslims are especially interested in Jerusalem. Muslims believe that the Dome of the Rock is where the prophet Mohammad ascended to heaven.

Religious Imporance

The importance of Palestine in the modern era is to a large extent is due to its religious significance. It is astounding to think how three of the world's great relgions are attached to Palestine in a major way. Two of the world's great relgions (Judiaism and Christianity) were founded there and the reglion has a major Islamic site. One wonders how this could be the case. Logically it seems unlikely. We suspect that the location of Palestine astride trade routes and the resulting intelectual cross-fertilization was a powerful factor here.

Jerusalem

This would be amazing enough in such a small land, but all three religions focus their attention on a small area of Jeruselum--explaining why the status of that city is such a difficult political issue. Jerusalem is especially important and the location of many charity houses, churches, monasteries, mosques, schools, and other buildings of religious importance. The buildings are located on the slopes of Al-Tur mountain and inside the walls of the old city of Jerusalem.

Individual Religions

Sites of religious importance are not just located in Jerusalem , but throughout Palestine. The Jews see sites throughout Palestine mentioned in the Torah and other Old Testament books. Jeursalem was the Jewish capital and the sight of Solomon's temple. There are many important Christian sites in Palestine such as Bethlehsam and Nasareth and the Jordan River. Jerusalem was where Christ was crucified. Muslims are especially interested in Jerusalem. Muslims believe that the Dome of the Rock is where the prophet Mohammad ascended to heaven.

Judiaism

The Jews see sites throughout Palestine mentioned in the Torah and other Old Testament books. Jeursalem was the Jewish capital and the sight of Solomon's temple.

Christianity

There are many important Christian sites in Palestine such as Bethlehsam and Nasareth and the Jordan River. Jerusalem was where Christ was crucified. Muslims are especially interested in Jerusalem. The Church of Holy Sepulchre is perhaps the most important Christian site in Jerusalem. The church was built by St. Helena (Constantine's mother) in 335 A.D. It is a major site of Christian pilgrims, especially durin Easter and Christmas. Another important site is the Church of Gethsemane. It was built on the location of the garden of Gethsemane. It was here where Jesus and his disciples concealed themselves before being taken prisoner from the garden to Jerusalem. Some Biblical sites have been identified. The acttual location of the Crusifixtion and Accession are disputed. British sources report that at the time of post-World War I mandate that the Arab Christian population in Palestine was nearly 10 percent of the total population. Relable Statistics are currently difficult to come from, buth the Christian population has substantialy declined: West Bank (about 4 percent) and Gaza (less than 1 percent). The Aeab Christian population in Israel has been more stable (9 percent). The reasons for the decline of the Christian Arab population are hotky debated. The Muslim population has a higher birthrate. The economic decline resulting from the Interfada has caused many to leave Palestine seeking better ecomomic opportunities. Cgritin Arabs have been contacts beyonf the Middke East than Muslim Palistinians. Some sources say Istrali travel restrictions are a factor. Christian communities are under pressure in several Aran countries. This does not seem to be the case in the West Bank although there have been incidents. The violence is substantially less than is the case in Iraq, Egypt, Lebanon, and other neigboring states. Yhe same is not the case in Gaza where Chrustins have been attacked. Conditions for Christians deteriorated after the Isreali withdrawl and the Hamas victory in elections. In October 2007, Rami Ayyad, the Baptist manager of The Teacher's Bookshop, the only Christian bookstore in the Gaza Strip, was fire bombed. Ayyad received death threats and when he refused to flee, he was murdered (October 2007). Muslim fundamentalists objected to hi alleged missionary activity. [Rizq]

Islam

Muslims believe that the Dome of the Rock is where the prophet Mohammad ascended to heaven. The Al-Aqsa Mosque is of special interest. It is located on the south-side of the Old City, surrounded on the south and east by the wall of Soloman's Great Temple. The Mosque is mentioned in the Koran. The Dome of the Rock is also located on the Temple Mount. Muslims believe that the Dome of the Rock is where Mohammad ascended to heaven. It was built by the Ummayad Caliph Abdul Malek Ibn Marwan in 684 AD. The Dome of the Rock was built in the courtyard of Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Sources

Rizq, Philip."The murder of Rami Ayyad", Palestine Chronicle (October 15, 2007).





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Created: 11:29 PM 4/29/2006
Last updated: 12:07 PM 12/23/2012