Hawzah News Agency –On the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, which coincides with the 29th day of November every year, the OIC General Secretariat held an interactive virtual lecture titled: The Cultural and Religious Heritage of Al-Quds Al-Shareef: Challenges and Opportunities.” This was part of the OIC General Secretariat’s series of lectures held at its Jeddah headquarters.

Dr Nazmi Amin Jubeh, associate professor at the Department of History and Archeology, Birzeit University, former co-director of Riwaq Center for Architectural Conservation, and director of the Islamic Museum at the Al-Aqsa Mosque, delivered the virtual lecture on Thursday, 2 December 2021. In the lecture, Dr Jubeh presented a comprehensive historical review of the stages of development of Al-Quds and its legal status in the cultural heritage of divine religions. He also gave an overview of the key historical figures that influenced the city and its architecture, which reflect its identity as a land of peaceful coexistence among adherents of different faiths.

Dr Jubeh also highlighted the danger threatening the Al-Aqsa Mosque and Al-Quds city because of repeated Israeli aggression and relentless attempts to change the city’s features, Judaize it and change its Islamic identity by way of archeological excavations and demolition of Islamic historic sites. Dr Jubeh also cited the efforts made by the Palestinian authorities to confront these threats and defend the blessed al-Aqsa Mosque and its surrounding buildings.

Dr Jubeh’s lecture was characterized by presentation of images and manuscripts showing the historical development of Al-Quds city and the transformations it has witnessed over time. It also focused on areas with strong symbolism, such as the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the Nea Church, the Dome of the Rock, Al-Aqsa Mosque, Maghariba Quarters and the like, which are targeted by the Israeli occupation through surface and underground archeological excavations and attempts at Judaization and imposition of fait accompli.