الحياة الدينية والأجتماعية في مدينة القدس من خلال وثائق المجلس الشرعي الاسلامي الأعلى 1922م-1948م
Date
2020-08-15
Authors
علاء الدين عمران رمضان سلهب
Ala'a Elddin Omran Ramadan Salhab
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Al-Quds University
Abstract
This study focuses on the socio-religious life in Jerusalem through the documents of the Supreme Muslim Council (hereinafter referred to as ‘SMC’) from 1922 to 1948. It highlights the importance of documenting the history of Jerusalem and its surrounding district in relation to the socio-religious aspects of life based on the original documents. In defining the historical period in which the ruling in Palestine and Jerusalem was transferred from the Ottomans to the British, this study highlights the consequences of the transition of the Muslim private institutions (i.e. religious courts, Al- Awqaf, judicial system and Al-Ifta’ (religious judgment)).
In addition, it portrays the life of Haj Amin Al- Husseini as the key player in the SMC from the day of his birth and throughout the periods of his childhood, education, activities, and in heading the positions of Al-Ifta’ and the SMC.
Furthermore, it explores the religious documents issued by the SMC in focusing its attention to the construction, renovation, and supervision of Al-Aqsa Mosques’ religious and administrative affairs. This includes the mosques within Jerusalem’s district as well as the management of Islamic graveyards. The SMC has protected the Islamic waqf sites in order to prevent its confiscation by assigning a committee of social workes the task of assessing this threat to the citizens there.
This study also elaborates on the various aspects of social life in Jerusalem (supported by related documents), and the support received in regards to the health sector within the sacred city. Under the supervision of the SMC, health centers were built in order to offer free and reduced medical services to the poor. In terms of educational matters, the SMC insured support of the poor with monthly payments, as well as participation in various celebrations (offering them facilitations in these celebrations).
In addition, the SMC offers solutions the social interactios between the sexes, as well as guidelines for marriage according to the Islamic teachings. Another important role of the committee of the social workers was the task of rehabilitating prisoners in order for their successful assimilation into mainstream society.
Through these documents, the reader is presented with factual guidance in regards to the mechanism of the work of the SMC and its administrative staff in implementing the various affairs of the sacred city.