Reconstruction of the Minbar of Salah-El-Din at the Aqsa Mosque: Challenges and Results

Author/Editor

Walid Hussein Yousef AI-Abweini

Date

2007

Language

Arabic

Keywords

Minbar of Salah-El-Din, Aqsa Mosque, restoration, reconstruction, Jerusalem

Institution

University of Jordan

Advisor

Prof. Rizeq Nimer Shaban Hummad/ Co-advisor: Prof. Abdel Elah Mohammed Abdine

Abstract

This research describes the redesign and reconstruction of Salah Eddin menber, which was burnt in 1969 by a Israeli settler. The fire destroyed almost all the menbar and parts of AI-Aqsa Mosque. The menbar was built in 1176 AD following a decree of Nooriddeen Zanky, the leader of Syria, after the Crusaders invaded Jerusalem. The menber was to be located in AI-Aqsa Mosque after Jerusalem is librated. Nooriddeen zanky died, however, before fulfilling his promises, and Salah Eddin later on had the menber located in AI- Aqsa Mosque after he Iibrated Jerusalem in1I87. The late King Hussein Bin Talal of Jordan ordered a construction of a prototype menbar that is an exact replica of the original in August 1969 AD. A special committee, Al-Aqsa and the Doom of Rock Renovation Committee, supervises this project.
This thesis contains four chapters, and results. The 1st chapter summarizes the history of Jerusalem, from The Bronze age until the occupation of Palestine in 1976; and the history of AI-Aqsa Mosque from its construction under the Umayyad leader Abd AI Malik Bin Marwan until the present day. And a definition of the menbar; its place in Islamic architecture and its impact on interior space; its religious, political, and social significance for Muslims; and its developments, beginning with its emanation from the Prophet's Mosque in AI Madina AI Munawara, which is considered a unique Islamic element. The 2nd chapter describes the original menber, which is considered a rare specimen of Islamic wood art. The menber contains the main Islamic art elements: Geometrical and plant ornamentation, Arabic calligraphy, ebony and ivory decorations, stalactites and turnery. These elements of Islamic art combine to make a unique masterpiece of delicate workmanship. This chapter examines the menber from artistic and craftsmanship standpoints. It also examines the Qur'anic inscriptions on the menber, and what has been said in praise of it.
The 3rd chapter describes the procedure of the prototype construction and different steps of drawing the elevations and details of the menber (using manual and computer techniques), preparing different materials, choosing workmen, cutting and fixing the different pieces to produce the final prototype. In every step specialized committees were selected to supervise the work. The pans of the prototype minbar were assembled and located in AI-Aqsa Mosque where it belongs. The 4th chapter includes a discussion of the hypotheses related to the subject, together with results and recommendations reached by the researcher.