Mamluk and Ottoman Jerusalem (Lecture 3.1.11)

Mamluk Jerusalem, while separated, is still technically Islamic Jerusalem, as the Mamluks were Muslims themselves. Mamluks were soldiers of slave origins who had converted to Islam. They were an extraordinarily long-lived grassroots military movement. They set Jerusalem as a Ziyara, an alternative site to visit instead of a formal visit to Mecca. They often used Crusader buildings as materials to build their new structures. However, they only built 2 new mosques during this time period.

The Al-Madrasa al-Ashrafiyya was built during this period. It was a Qur'anic school and considered to be the 3rd Jewel of Jerusalem after the Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa Mosque. It was built in 1482 by al-Ashraf Qaitbey. The Ghawanima Minert was also built 1298. The Mamluks reused Crusader columns and capitals to build minarets that played the "calls to prayer". The Haram al-Sharif was extensively remodeled. Towers were built on the corners, minarets were added and the Dome and the Mosque were restored.

The Jewish Quarter during this time continued to grow as a spiritual center. Nachmanides (Ramban) finds synagoge and asserts Aliyah: commandment to pilgrimage to Jerusalem. He also develops Kabbalah (Jewish Mysticism). He was kicked out of Spain due to his railings against Christianity. Because of his assertions of Aliyah, he is technically a zionist. He had very aggressive refutation of Christianity.

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Ottomon Jerusalem followed the defeat of the Mamluks in 1517. Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent reigned from 1520-1566 CE and had massive building projects. He repaired and enlarged all the aqueducts, rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem (2 miles long, 40 feet high, with 34 towers and 7 gates), he also extensively refurbished the Haram al-Sharif and all its monuments. He wanted to make Jerusalem truly the 3rd greatest city in Islam. He established Shari'a law. But he also encouraged Jewish refugees to settle in Jerusalem and restore the city. The Jews had no special taxes under Suleiman and all holy sites were restored under his reign, including the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.