Opinion
The myth of al-Aqsa
Mordechai Kedar
Published: 15.09.08, 00:47
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31. King of Saudi Arabia
(09.15.08)
In 1945 the Allies promised King of Saudi Arabia to block the building of state for Jews in Palestine, but they broke the promise. it took hims 9 years of protest before he died. the ailing king Saud who followed his father couldn't make it either. But, the bright sides is that Muslims are not after their kings, Muslims only follow their God's Islam.
32. On al jezeera, kadar said the same
trumpeldor ,   eurabia   (09.15.08)
and the islamic host was unable to respond .... See youtube by yourself
33. Sagi #23 is right
Dudi ,   Jerusalem   (09.15.08)
Religion is a dividing tool, who ever believe in it will always feel righteous and will judge and curse the other religions (look at the article and talkbacks). Reality cannot be distorted by religion. Who are you talking about kicking out of Jerusalem because you are confusing things? Do you want Arabs out of Jerusalem or just Muslims? If you missed it, Arabs are Muslims and Christians so make your mind up. Reality shows that Muslims and Christians of Arab origin or otherwise have lived in Jerusalem for thousands of years, so these people are entitled to call Jerusalem their own. Look no matter what you say about Islam it is the fastest growing religion in the world closing in at 2bn people quickly. Also Islam has it’s pros and cons like any religion, but we as humans can get along better if we stop judging each other by our religion but our actions, no others' actions mine.
34. AL AQSA
Peace Lover ,   UK   (09.15.08)
I will try to answer in a neutral way. 1- The accusation that Islam employed the previous sacred legends etc., of the previous religions can also apply for Christianity as the old testament is an integral part of the Bible. 2- the Jewish people denied Jesus exactly the same way as they denied Mohamed. 3- Th Crusades have covere their political motives with a religious one in the same way as some muslims do. 4- it seems natural for the sons of Ismail to try to link themselves with their routes. 5- the second temple was destroyed more than 350 years before Islam by the Romans . i.e No muslims can be blammed for that and once more there was no trial to rebuilt the site at all till the Islamic conquer of Jerusalem. 6- In Pre Islamic Christian Jerusalem , the Temple site was completly neglected in a very bad way. 7- when Omar received the key for Jerusalm he saw the temple site and apparently was distressed to witness its state of neglect. 8- The Umayad action was very logical as the city was already under Islamic control for many year with a growing muslim population who need a mosque and they probably felt it building that mosque on the site of the Old temle is legitimate as th etemple was already destroyed for generations and the population of Jerusalem were mainly christian at that time. 9- Muslims believed that the Prophet during his visit to Jerusalem, he stopeed at the Rock, so it made sense to Abd eL Malik to built a dome around it and ytou can see that yourself if you enter the Golden dome , as the rock is there. 10- The built of Al aqsa Mosque was during a period of Islamic domination so there was no need for political spin and No way those Umayad ruler can predicat that State of Israel will happen 1000 years later. Thanks
35. #9- To Ali
Ted ,   UK   (09.15.08)
some historical facts for you: Congo ??? it was Uganda but it was a British offer that was never accepted by jews! Which brings me back to the article: These are historical facts, which cannot be denied, he is not meddling with your religious, this is up to you...
36. Belief is more relevant than fact in conflict resolution
Barry Berger ,   Kiryat Tivon, Israel   (09.15.08)
Kedar's pontification on the historical significance of Al-Aqsa to Islam and rebuttals by Islamic scholars are more relevant to the classroom and journals than to current conflicts and their resolution. What is relevant here are perceptions and "facts on the ground" rather than attempting to prove that "my God is better than your God". Indeed, such inflammatory statements add fuel to the conflict ... and I suspect that this is the not-so-hidden agenda of the writer.
37. #5 - Learn to read...
Andy ,   ramat hasharon   (09.15.08)
What part about sharing the city, permissible in Judaism and rejected by your ilk did you miss? Look in the mirror and you will see what is preventing the parties from getting together. Then go talk to you friends about living in harmony with Jews. If you are not then killed, then we can all get together and figure this thing out.
38. #9 - Ignorance....
Andy ,   ramat hasharon   (09.15.08)
First all it was Uganda, not Congo, and it was roundly rejected. Only the Land of Israel would do. Second of all, the good professor was simply exposing the history of muslim lies about Jerusalem. Lastly, what part of sharing Jerusalem, which is permissible to Jews but impermissible to your own kind did you miss in this article. From your response, you don't appear all that informed, nor is your reading comprehension up to snuff. Go read some more, may peace be unto you.
39. Islam is not the fastest growing religion
James ,   Walnut, Iowa   (09.15.08)
islam is growing simply because of high muslim birth-rates, not conversions to islam. Christianity is the fastest growing religion due to conversions, and holds a worldwide majority.
40. DRINK SOME COOL AID
ISSA YACOUB ,   ALEXANDRIA U S A   (09.15.08)
JEWS CREATED GOD, MUSLIMS INVENTED GOD,JESUS MADE WINE HAVE A DRINK ITS HAPPY HOUR U ALL
41. I don't understand?
Dan ,   ISRAEL   (09.15.08)
Without studying history, millions are following it blindly! Open your eyes, study and understand true history, then talk to the rest of the world. I am sure you will have nothing to say!
42. whose myth
observer   (09.15.08)
Kedar said "established the direction of prayer (kiblah) to be to the north, towards Jerusalem,...... killed many of them, and directed the kiblah southward, towards Mecca..... in al-Gi'irranah, a village between Mecca and Ta'if... was "the further mosque" (al-masjid al-aqsa,) Medina, where Muhammad was ordered by God to change direction of Kibla, is north of Mecca, while Taif and al-Gi'irranah are south of Mecca. Muhammad was praying towards Al-Aqsa- not Jerusalem- and that was a fact because all Muslims directed their prayer to AL-Aqsa, 10 years+ before Muhammad's Night Journey. Muslims spent half their time with Muhammad praying towards Al-Aqsa because Kibla couldn't have been except to a Masjid, Kaaba and Al-Aqsa were established Masjids (mosques). Taif area was inhabited by extremist pagans who would never allowed Islamic Masjid in their fortified district which had been conquered only about a year and half before Muhammad died. So how would the Kibla be changed from north to south at the 16th month of Migration to Medina, if Al-Aqsa was already south. Muslims did not kill any Jew till after 5 years in Medina when Jews broke the truce and sided with enemy tribes who gathered to annihilate the newly established Muslim nation, and that was 4 years after change of the Kibla. Ynet!, do you have the courage to post it?
43. to 5. truth is it's own reward.
ygalg ,   israel   (09.15.08)
44. to 9
ygalg ,   israel   (09.15.08)
Mordechai Kedar is secualr not religious. Islam actually does tell. the mosque and the dome on Jewish temple mount is evidence for that. no, it is Islam that create hatred and divisions "kill infidels wherever you find them." "do not befriend Jews and Christians..." Islam is non friendly to other religions. it is theologically and historically be proven. and thus no common ground can be established. and islam is a cult, not religion. it's islamically politically. not separate issues. historically it has no connection to islam aside be conquered by Omar caliph. Jerusalem has no reference in Koran aside metaphorically to Muhammad's journey on buraq. he himself never step afoot in real on Jerusalem. furthermore there was no mosque but a byzantine church. Muhammad at first when he thought Jews would accept him he directed the prayers toward Jerusalem aping the Jews direction of prayer. he himself could not guess which direction. he was aping the Jews. just as he did for ashura day. when he received no for an answer he changed direction to Kaaba. Jerusalem ceased to be of significant to him. it was Uganda and it was suggested as temporary haven due to pogroms and there was a rush to bring Jews for safety. there was no avert from establishing home at the place which was always important to the Jews. which is israel. faithfreedom.org
45. to 9 another thing
ygalg ,   israel   (09.15.08)
this is not Saudi Arabia nor dhimmiute state. here we have freedom of speech. if you don't like what he writes. you don't have to indulge yourself to read.
46. Dr. Kedar misses the point entirely...
Joe ,   Ramat Gan   (09.15.08)
Jerusalem and the Temple Mount are the Jews what Mecca and the Ka'aba are to Muslims. I wonder what world Muslim opinion would be if we Jews conquered Mecca and built a synagogue over the Ka'aba- nothing less than blood-boiling outrage, I'm sure...
47. #28 - Abraham neverwillhavestate....
Andy ,   hasstate, Israel   (09.15.08)
The blondest Jew from Europe has more genetically in common with the Smarians, than any so-called Palestinian. And, you will be stillnostate unless your kind learns to compromise with us.
48. to 14
ygalg ,   israel   (09.15.08)
only few former Jews who embraced Muhammad's rule were also part of forming Koran tho Muhammad was the founder of Islamic cult he was of pagan's tribe. he was not Jewish. Mohammad was at least a human being with all the weaknesses and imperfections of human beings. this is not the view perceived by islamists. he is considered infallible. rise above all the prophets and superseded them. he is the seal of the prophets ;) chances moses and Jesus are but fiction figures are high. Muhammad if lived today in the west probability he would end up in mental hospital or prison. Islamic scripts do not mention Judaism nor Christianity. Islamic position that the people of the book corrupted the divine scripts. and Koran is the only book that is uncorrupted and interminably protected. ad hominem, is the last resort of the losers. faithfreedom.org
49. Dr. Mordecai Kedar made an accurate analysis
ygalg ,   israel   (09.15.08)
islamists who come here cannot make valid points aside ad hominem. faithfreedom.org
50. kedar and israel
alexi   (09.15.08)
kedar knows arab culture, knows their games and would be better man to negotiate for israel. Olmert was a horrible mayor ofjerusalem, left it in a bloody mess, got israelis killed because of contruction like he did in lebaonon war, and now opens his bloody mouth along with his partner ramon. Aliza has our sypathies for having married a coward of the first order who backstabs jews whenever he has a chance and also steals from charities according to the police, holocaust charities that aliza may care about coming from a holocaust family.
51. #9 Ali Jerusalem
Shaka   (09.15.08)
Ali Jerusalem is in every Jewish persons essence, it is the center of our culture, religion, songs, prayers 3 times a day, our holiday's and our long and continued history there. Jerusalem may be politcally important to you and your Arab/Muslim brethren now but it is not an important holy place for your people. Mecca and Madina are your holy cities you know as well as I do that Jerusalem is not. It is as if the we Jews would say that we want part of Mecca and Madina because it is holy to us because our Patriarch Abraham was there and so many Jews lived there during the time of Muhammad and their lands were taken. We have a right to say these places are holy to us . . . but we do not because we are not trying to take what is not ours like your people are doing. If Jerusalem was so holy to your people why didn't any Arabs make it a capital when they controlled the area, or why did they not spend any money there when it was controlled by them or why didn't any leaders religous or political visit Jerusalem from the Arab/Muslim world when it was controlled by Arab/Muslims. . . why? Because it is a political holy place only when your masses want to rally against the Jews or christians to take lands that are near yours do your people decide that this place is holy to you. So please spare me your fake hurt at how can the Jews tell you its not holy to you because you know its not and as for Jews willing to take a homeland in africa they would have taken a homeland anywhere because they were being killed and needed a place to live free not giving up on Jerusalem ever!!!
52. #44 ygalg
observer   (09.15.08)
for 13 years in Mecca and then 16 months in Medina, Muhammad and Muslims were praying facing north to Al-Aqsa Mosque. There was no Jews in Mecca at any time to mimic their prayer.
53. #52. Lies and more lies
Jake   (09.15.08)
Moslems did not pray 'toward al Aksa mosque' in the days of Mohammed. There is no evidence that Moslems were praying in a particular direction from the very first day that Mohammed reported his relevations. The '1st Qibla' mentioned in the Koran, understood to be Jerusalem, was only a by-product of what Mohammed's Jewish companions taught him. According to the Koran, when the Qibla was fixed at Mecca, the 1st Qibla became "cursed by Allah". How then can Jerusalem be holy to Islam?
54. #52, No evidence Mohammed prayed to Jerusalem
Jake   (09.15.08)
before the Hijra to Medina. And if indeed, he knew something about Jerusalem before Medina, it would only have been from the Jewish companions he had before the Hijra. You are trying to write things into your texts which are not there. Here is what is actually written: "Most Merciful. We see the turning of thy face (for guidance) to the heavens: now Shall We turn thee to a Qibla that shall please thee. Turn then Thy face in the direction of the sacred Mosque: Wherever ye are, turn your faces in that direction. The people of the Book know well that that is the truth from their Lord. Nor is God unmindful of what they do. Even if thou wert to bring to the people of the Book all the Signs (together), they would not follow Thy Qibla; nor art thou going to follow their Qibla; nor indeed will they follow each other’s Qibla. If thou after the knowledge hath reached thee, Wert to follow their (vain) desires, - then wert thou Indeed (clearly) in the wrong." S. 2:142-145
55. MYTH!!!!!!!!!!!
Khalil   (09.15.08)
There is only one myth it was created by HERTZEL to gather the jews in Palestine or any other country available that time (CONGO, or whatever) and the myth of the Temple Mount was to be created in any place gathers the jewsin the world
56. temples over temples
LOL   (09.16.08)
when the invaders come to a certain country they try to spred their religion by building the temples to their own GOD over the temples of the other as you said, suppose this happened during islamic invasion during the 7th and 8th century to palestine and then during crusades , ...........it also happening again in the 20th and 21st centuries during the jewish invasion to Palestine and the jews are trying to build their temple over Al-Aqsa Mosque
57. to observer 42
...... ,   ............   (09.16.08)
have an order not to post mine .it is believe not history
58. to 39
......... ,   ........   (09.16.08)
christinity is 500 years before islam and moslemes believe in jessus and his mother and now many christian believe that islam is a religion and they know that conversion from christinity to islam is more than from islam to christinity .. this is when conversion is for the believe only .. it is a fact and by statistics
59. to 52. there was no Al-Aqsa Mosque at the time of Muhammad.
ygalg ,   israel   (09.16.08)
there was a small Jewish presence in Mecca pre Islamic era.
60. If we can argue about this until "kingdom come"...
Darren ,   Oakland, CA   (09.16.08)
why not just build the Third Temple already and let "kingdom come"? If Dajjal comes, I will personally admit that Judaism is a fraud and that Islam is the only true religion. If Jesus comes back, I will acknowledge that he was Mashiach. If neither happens or Techiat Hametim happens, I will remain a Jew. What does the world have to lose by letting prophecy get fulfilled?
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