We began lecture finishing off the Early Islamic Period before the Crusaders invaded Jerusalem. The Abbasid Dynasty ruled from 750-969 CE out of Baghdad. They tried to wipe out memory of Umayyid accomplishments by taking credit for everything. For example, Abbasid Caliph al-Ma-mun takes credit for building the Dome of the Rock but forgets to erase the date of construction. During this time, the Abbasid continue polemic against Christians. Muhammad al-Sanhaji, governor of Jerusalem, kills John, Patriarch of Jerusalem in 965 CE. After the Abbasid Dynasty came the Fatimid Dynasty that ruled from 969-1099 CE out of Egypt. This was a period of upheaval, but steady population increase. The treatment of Jew and Christians depended on the ruler. Jewish and Christian governors were appointed near end of Fatimid rule. In 1009 Caliph al-Hakim orders destruction of all Jewish and Christian houses of prayer, including the Holy Sepulcher. In 1033, an earthquake severely damages Jerusalem's walls and Dome of the Rock. From 1078-1098 CE, the enemies of the Fatimids, the Seljuqs, occupy Jerusalem, destroying and looting the city. They massacred thousands of its inhabitants.
After the Crusades were over, Jerusalem once again was under Islamic rule. This time, it was the Mamluks who were in control. Mamluk Jerusalem was from 1250-1516 CE, a time where Jerusalem becomes a religious center. This was more of a movement rather than a dynasty. During this time, Jerusalem was politically and militarily insignificant, but had religious importance. There was intensive building of schools, hospitals, and hotels. The Al Madrasa al-Ashrafiyya, a Quar'ranic school, was built as well in 1482. It is known as the "Third Jewel of Jerusalem". The Mamluks tried building things and doing things for the community. There was much enhancement in the Islamic quarter and the Jewish quarter began go to grow as a religious quarter.
The Ottomon came to power in Jerusalem from 1516-1918. The reason Jerusalem was insignificant for a while was because the walls around the city were destroyed. There was no protection for the inhabitants of the city so it wasn't much of a threat. Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent rebuilds the walls of Jerusalem. It was two miles long, forty feet high, 34 towers, and 7 gates. It was an extensive campaign to refurbish the Temple Mount. Also, Jews were encouraged to settle in Jerusalem to restore the city's population.
cool stuff!
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