Ancient Muslim Cemetery in Jerusalem Vandalized Amid Preservation Work
Translated & summarized from Zman Yisrael by baba
Vandalism and exposure of human remains have been reported at Jerusalem's ancient Mamilla Muslim Cemetery, with centuries-old graves shattered and burned. The destruction is occurring behind fences for preservation work on the Mamilla Pool, hidden from public view. Despite acknowledgments from the Israel Antiquities Authority, activists have documented severe damage, including broken tombstones and scorched earth. This incident highlights concerns about the preservation of Muslim heritage in Jerusalem.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Centuries-old graves at Jerusalem's Mamilla Muslim Cemetery have been vandalized and exposed.
- Destruction is occurring behind fences for preservation work on the Mamilla Pool, hidden from public view.
- Activists have documented shattered tombstones, exposed human remains, and scorched areas.
- The Israel Antiquities Authority is aware of the situation and claims to be monitoring it.
- The cemetery, historically significant, has been significantly reduced in size due to past construction projects.
- Concerns are raised about the preservation of Muslim heritage in Jerusalem compared to Jewish heritage.
Centuries-old graves and human remains have been exposed and damaged at Jerusalem's historic Mamilla Cemetery, an important Muslim burial site active since the 11th century. The destruction is occurring behind high fences erected for preservation work on the nearby Mamilla Pool, with the site largely hidden from public view. The cemetery, which once spanned approximately 130 dunams, has been reduced to about 20 dunams due to construction projects dating back to the 1950s, including Independence Garden, roads, parking lots, and the Simon Wiesenthal Center's Museum of Tolerance.
Recent reports by Jerusalem archaeologists and architects, who have been documenting the cemetery voluntarily, revealed exposed human bones and shattered tombstones. The Israel Antiquities Authority acknowledged awareness of the issue, stating they are monitoring it closely. An inspection of the site revealed graffiti on the 13th-century Al-Kabakiya mausoleum, broken ancient tombstones of prominent historical figures, and scorched areas indicating fires that damaged vegetation and graves.
The author, Uri Erlich, a former journalist and activist, contrasts the alleged neglect of this Muslim heritage with the outcry that would likely follow similar damage to an ancient Jewish cemetery in a European capital. He suggests that commitment to preserving the past in Jerusalem falters when it does not align with a Jewish narrative. The article also notes that the Palace Hotel, built in the late 1920s, was constructed on graves that were cleared in coordination with the Mufti Haj Amin al-Husayni.