Chapters 11-13

A new era of the history of Jerusalem started with the start and spread of Islam throughout the city and the region. Bayt Al-Maqdes is the other name for Jerusalem, or Al-Quds. In these chapters, it talks about the Islam religion and the pilgrimage that was done and the fights that happened to conquer some of the areas to be under the Islamic rule. Since I was born and raised within an Islamic society, I do know most of this information, about when Umar wanted to pray and refused to do so in any of the Christian or Jewish holy sites, concerned that later on, Muslims might convert these places into a Muslim holy place. Regarding the Jizyah or the tax that non-Muslims used to pay, although I do not support the idea of making the homeowners pay money to stay protected at their places, but since a new power took place, usually this is a common thing to happen for minorities, throughout history. One thing regarding the dhimmi or the minorities under the Islamic rule and control of Jerusalem and the surrounding areas that in my personal opinion should not happen, that they had to give up all means of self defense, could not bear arms, and the ‘humiliating legislations’ like minorities were not allowed to build without permissions, they had to bow when they presented the jizyah, were forbidden to ride horseback, and had to wear distinctive clothing, all these rules do not help in a peaceful living within the surroundings. As stated in the book, the system provided religion freedom but not equality or justice. Problems rose between and within the Muslims after the death of Muawyah, and there were many rebellions between the Omayyads and the Yazid. Jerusalem, or Bayt Al-Maqdis became an important city for Muslims as it was for Jews and Christians before, making Jerusalem the only city probably in the region or the lobe were the three monotheistic religions share a belief towards.

Although the city of Jerusalem contained within its boundaries the three religions, but problems stayed between Christians, Jews and Muslims, each believing that their belief is the most righteous one. One very interesting point mentioned in the book is about the Holy Fire in the Anastasis on the evening before Easter Sunday, where people till today gathers to wait for this flame to appear out of nowhere, something that is really interesting to witness and see, as I was within the people who goes to the church there before Easter and wait for the Holy Fire, whether true or false, no one can ever know I guess. The so called Christian Crusaders entered the holy city and a new period of history starts. I said the so called crusaders, because I personally do not agree with the term Crusaders, people from different region invading another in the name of the Christ and the Cross. It is like when Bin Laden declared the war on the States in the name of Islamic religion, something that many Muslims do not accept or respect. History repeats itself, now the crusaders when they took power over Jerusalem banned Muslims and Jews from the holy city. Here comes the injustice where people from outside the region come declaring war on the inhabitants and deny them their freedom of religion and movement, something that we are witnessing in our recent day in Jerusalem and the surrounding areas. Destruction comes back to the holy city.