THE URBAN DEVELOPMENT OF THE AQSA MOSQUE AREA DURING THE UMAYYAD PERIOD
Date
2025-05
Authors
Marwan Abu Khalaf
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Al-Quds University
Abstract
This paper deals with Jerusalem as one of the holiest cities for Muslims after
Mecca and Medina. Its holiness is attributed from being the first Qibla (Prayer
direction) and from the famous Night Journey of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
between Mecca and Jerusalem.
The city received a special attention since it became an Islamic City mainly
from the Second Orthodox Caliph Umar ibn al –Khattab, who came personally
to capitulate the city, and from the First Umayyad Caliph Mu’awiyya Ibn Abi
Sufian, who transferred the political centralization to the Holy City. The paper
also focuses on the urban development of the Aqsa Mosque Area, which forms
the eastern part of the pre-Islamic city, through rehabilitating the area to be
convenient for the Muslims’ use. This is clearly apparent by the structure of the
Aqsa Mosque’s building, done by Umar and Mu’awiya, and by the structure of
the most prominent project in the history of Islamic Architecture which includes,
The Dome of the Rock, The Aqsa Mosque, The Amir Palace (Dar Al-Imara), and
the construction and reconstruction of walls and gates around the whole Area.