Jerusalem: The capital of Palestine and the first of the two Qiblas

Jerusalem, also known as Beit al-Maqdis, Al-Quds al-Sharif, or in Hebrew as Yerushalayim, is the capital of the State of Palestine and one of the oldest and most historic cities in the Middle East and the world. It holds religious, historical, and political significance. The city is located in the heart of Palestine, surrounded by mountains, hills, and valleys from all directions. Jerusalem covers an area of 125.156 square kilometers and had a population of 936,425 according to the latest statistics in 2019. Jews currently constitute about 60% of the total population, while Arabs make up about 38%.

Name and History:

Historical researchers agree that the oldest known name for the city of Jerusalem is "Ursalim," a name found in Egyptian manuscripts dating back over 2000 years. When the Jebusites settled in the city, they named it "Yebus." In the Hebrew Bible and Christianity, the city was known as "Yerushalayim," a name that historians and linguists agree means "City of Peace." The city was also known by other names like "Hierosolyma" during the Greek period and "Aelia" during the Roman period, and finally, "Al-Quds" during the Islamic era.

The history of Jerusalem dates back over 5000 years. It has witnessed the rise and fall of various civilizations and historical epochs that shaped the history of the region and the world. Starting from the Canaanite era, known historically as the Copper Age and extending to the later Bronze Age, some research suggests that the Canaanites were the first to establish a significant civilization in the history of Jerusalem. Arabs of the Semitic tribes later settled in the region, and some other research suggests they founded one of the first civilizations in the area. According to the narrative in the Torah, the Jews claim that Noah's son Shem was the one who founded the city. In the Jewish era of the region, Jerusalem saw several important Judean kingdoms, most notably the kingdom of King David and Solomon before the Babylonians, led by their famous king Nebuchadnezzar, conquered the city and took control. The city was later absorbed by Ptolemy and Palestine under Egypt before the Seleucids took it, followed by the Greeks.

In 636 CE, Caliph Umar bin al-Khattab led a Muslim army and conquered Jerusalem, spreading Islam throughout the city and beginning what was known at the time as the Umayyad era, during which all religions and sects were guaranteed freedom of religion and belief, allowing them to live in peace. Later, the Crusaders occupied the city during their campaigns in the Middle East, only to be recaptured by the Ayyubids, led by Saladin the Ayyubid, after fierce battles with the Crusaders. Subsequently, the Mongols took control of the city, followed by the Ottomans, during whose rule the city witnessed significant development and expansion, preserving its importance and greatness.

With the beginning of the World Wars, British forces entered the city of Jerusalem and subsequently handed it over, through a malicious political deal, to what is now known as the Zionist entity, continuing the suffering of its rightful inhabitants who were unjustly treated.

Climate:

The city features a Mediterranean climate with hot and dry summers and mild, sometimes rainy winters. Snowfall is rare. The average temperature in winter is around 9 degrees Celsius, while in summer it reaches 24 degrees Celsius.

Top Tourist Attractions in Jerusalem:

• Al-Aqsa Mosque
• Dome of the Rock
• Western Wall (Wailing Wall)
• Church of the Holy Sepulchre

These are some of the most important tourist attractions in Jerusalem, showcasing its rich religious and historical heritage, and attracting visitors from around the world.