Hashemites’ Custodianship of Jerusalem Islamic Holy Sites

Abstract

<p>This study aims to demonstrate the Jordanian Hashemites’ custodianship of the Islamic sanctities in Jerusalem and their role in preserving its Islamic identity from the attempts of Judaization exposed by the Israeli State. The reigns of his Majesty King Abdullah I and King Hussein (kings of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan) were taken as a model for the study, by presenting the most prominent services provided to Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem, such as restoration, renovation, rebuilding, and providing financial and non-financial support to these sanctities. The study concludes that the Hashemites’ custodianship of the Islamic sanctities in Jerusalem was not only connected with the Jordanian-Palestinian relations, but also came out of the Hashemites’ faith in their religious and national duty to preserve Jerusalem identity and stand in the face of any attempt to Judaize, control and divide Jerusalem. This custody began since the era of Sharif Hussein bin Ali and it has continued to the present time.</p>