The Cave of Machpelah...

Continuing to the the blog on the same topic on 3/11....

A bit more history about how the whole clashes came about for you to understand the bigger picture..... When, on Feb. 3, the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu originally outlined a plan to restore 130 so-called Jewish heritage sites, the two mosques were not included. However, after Jewish settlers and their allies in the government exerted pressure on the Israel premier, he decided to add them. But the general view, especially from Palestinians, is the fact that Netanyahu truly believes the sites belong to Israel. The Israeli plan is to invest more than $100M on them. These two sites in the West bank are perceived to be designated as "Israeli national heritage sites" by Israel.

Netanyahu added two Islamic sites "in order to reconnect Israelis to their history". This, even though the two mosques are located in the heart of Palestinian population centers where no significant Jewish population now exists. The city of Hebron has a population of 200,000 Palestinians and a furhter half a million living in surrounding villagesl, compared to only 400 Jewish settlers living in the city's Old Quarter, protected round the clock by thousands of Israel soliders to provide the settlers with optimal security. Israel's decision to add two ancient mosques in the West Bank to its list of alleged Jewish heritage sites is viewed as threats to change the identity of the land. If we understand the history a little bit, of course modern history... These sites are being taken away when they are on Palestinians land that was occupied in 1967 (6-day war) by Israel, precisely the lands upon which the independent palestinian state will be established. And since 1967, most of the West Bank has been under Israeli military occupation. With the exception of East Jerusalem, the West Bank was not annexed by Israel. Most of the residents are Arabs, although a large number of Israel settlements have been built in the region since 1967. Close to 500,000 Israelis live in the West Bank settlements, illegal under international law the Fourth Geneva Convention. The West Bank has a land area of 5,640 square kilometers (including East Jerusalem). The Palestinians view the mosques being an inseparable part of these lands. The two mosques are the Bilal Ibn Rabah Mosque near Bethlehem and the Ibrahimi (Abraham) Mosque in Hebron.

We all know Abraham well and his importance to Jews and his position with God. But we do not know too much about Bilal ibn Rabah, this name and person. So, a littel bit introduction about him. He was an Ethiopian-born in Mecca in the late 6th century, sometime between 578 and 582. The Islamic prophet Muhammad chose an African slave Bilal as his muezzin, effectively making him the first muezzin of the Islamic faith. A muezzin or muzim, is a chosen person at the mosque who leads the call (adnan) to Friday service and the five daily prayers from one of the mosque's minarets. He was among the slaves freed by Abu Bakr, Muhammad's father-in-law, and was known for his beautiful voice with which he called people to their prayers. Bilal Ibn Rabah, was an emancipated slave of key importance in Islam. He is said to have been one of the most trusted and loyal companion of Muhammad and of Ali. His respected stature during the birth of Islam is often cited by Muslims as evidence of the importance of pluralism and racial equality in the foundations of the religion.

What is "adnan"? The adhān is the Islamic call to prayer, recited by the muezzin. The root of the word means "to permit" and "ear." Adhan is called out by the muezzin in the mosque, sometimes from a minaret, five times a day summoning Muslims for mandatory prayers. There is a second call known as iqama (set up) that summons Muslims to line up for the beginning of the prayers. The main purpose behind the loud pronouncement of adhan five times a day in every mosque is to make available to everyone an easily intelligible summary of Islamic belief. It is intended to bring to the mind of every believer and non-believer the substance of Islamic beliefs, or its spiritual ideology. Loudspeakers are sometimes installed on minarets for the purpose. The adhan sums up the teachings of Islam: there is no God but Allah; Muhammad is God's Messenger; salvation is found through obedience to the Will of God, of which prayer is an important expression. Continue.....