page_title: Islamization of Jerusalem
section_title: Third Islamization of Jerusalem under Jordanian rule
hierarchical_section_title: Islamization of Jerusalem / Third Islamization of Jerusalem under Jordanian rule
caption_attribution_description: English: Arab Legion soldier standing in ruins of Hurva synagogue holding up a desecrated Torah Scroll, Jerusalem, May 1948.
context_page_description: The Islamization of Jerusalem refers to the religious transformation of the Levantine city that occurred three times in history. The first Islamization of Jerusalem followed the Muslim conquest of Jerusalem under Umar ibn Al-Khattāb in 638 CE. The second Islamization followed the fall of the first Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem in 1187, leading to an almost uninterrupted seven centuries long period of Muslim rule with a dominant Islamic culture, during the Ayyubid, Mamluk and early Ottoman periods. Beginning in the late Ottoman era, Jerusalem’s demographic turned increasingly multi-cultural, regaining a majority Jewish character during the late 19th and early 20th century that hadn’t been seen since the Roman era. However, with the Jordanian annexation of the West Bank, Jerusalem underwent another round of Islamization and Arabization.
  The remodulation was grounded on a foundational narrative in early Islamic texts, themselves drawing on Persian, Jewish and Christian traditions that emphasized the city's cosmological significance within God's creation.
context_section_description: Jordan, although mandated by the UN to let Israeli Jews visit their holy sites, refused access to them. They also led a systematic destruction of the Jewish Quarter including many ancient synagogues. Under Jordanian rule of East Jerusalem, all Israelis (irrespective of their religion) were forbidden from entering the Old City and other holy sites. Between 40 000 and 50 000 tombstones from ancient Mount of Olives Jewish Cemetery were desecrated. In the Old City of Jerusalem, the Jewish Quarter was destroyed after the end of fighting. The Tiferet Yisrael Synagogue was destroyed first, which was followed by the destruction of famous Hurva Synagogue built in 1701, first time destroyed by its Arab creditors in 1721 and rebuilt in 1864. On its part, Israeli authorities destroyed part of Mamila Muslim cemetery, near the armistice line. Altogether, the Jordanians destroyed 56 Synagogues in Jerusalem, while the remaining synagogues were used as toilets, stables and chicken coops.
  All Jewish inhabitants from the parts of city ruled by Jordan, including residents of Old City Jewish Quarter were expelled. Christian charities and religious institutions were prohibited from buying real estate in Jerusalem.  Christian schools were subject to strict regulations.
caption: An Arab Legion soldier in ruins of Hurva Synagogue.
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