South Africa – After five long years, Jerusalem-based Archeologist and Al-Aqsa expert, Abeer Zayyad has returned to South Africa. Zayyad, who lives and breathes Palestine, is here on an educational tour to give an in-depth analysis on the current situation on Masjid Al-Aqsa, encourage people to come to Masjid Al-Aqsa and provide more information to people about Palestine.
On Monday night Zayyad was hosted at Salaamedia’s main office in Johannesburg as part of her tour. She touched on many issues including the myth that Palestine was a land without a people for a people without a land. A myth propagated by the Israeli government to try and take away the identity of the Palestinians.
“Jerusalem was established as a village more than 10 000 years ago. The first city in the whole world is Jericho in Palestine. They [Israeli government] have tried to conduct studies to prove that we are not the native people, the Canaanites. Even all these studies have proven we are Canaanites.”
It is not a religious war but a war against Palestinians
There is this notion in the media that the violence seen is between Israel and Palestinian Muslims but this is far from the truth. While Palestinian Christians are in the minority, they are not excluded from the violent attacks, explained Zayyad.
“During Easter a lot of our Christians were attacked by Israeli, Zionist by the entrance of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre which is the main church for Chrisitian pilgrims. They were beating the pilgrims and the priest in front of the church also. These things they do not show. They have tried to burn some of the most important churches at least three or four times this year inside Jerusalem. These churches were protected by Muslims from being burned down.”
Besides this, the government does not take too kindly to Jews “who do not support the Zionist movement”. It is an Apartheid Zionist movement which does not have “any real pact with religion”. According to Zayyad, the Israeli government is intent on either eradicating the Palestinians through violence or forcing them to leave their beloved homes.
Visiting Palestine is of utmost importance
Over the years many have called for boycotting Israeli goods and stores, something which Zayyad agrees with. However, when one visits Palestine they normally fly to Tel Aviv which one listener pointed out is the same as funding Israel. People should rather take the harder route which is entering Palestine via Jordan. While Zayyad agreed that coming through Tel Aviv was benefitting Israel, coming through Jordan meant one would also have to leave through there and Israel would still benefit through the taxes imposed at the border gates. While Israel may benefit from one travelling to Masjid Al-Aqsa, not going and leaving them alone is far worse.
“Faizal Hosein said ‘visiting the prisoner is not making peace with the prisoner’s keeper’. Visiting us is very important … This is the only way to come to Masjid Al-Aqsa. If you don’t come, we will be alone. They don’t allow anyone from the West Bank, Gaza and other Palestinian areas to come. Yes, Israel takes a portion of the money we make in our shops and businesses but if you left it alone, it would destroy us. The big picture is, without you we are alone.”
SMread: Discovering the rich history of Masjidul Al-Aqsa with Archaeologist Abeer Zayyad
The issue of checkpoints
One of Hosein’s last statements was to buy time for Jerusalem. By visiting Jerusalem, by visiting Masjid Al-Aqsa, by visiting Palestine we are buying time, said Zayyad. If Muslims should stop visiting Masjid Al-Aqsa, there is a real possibility that the Masjid will one day be empty. This is all because of the checkpoints created by the Israeli government.
“People from the West Bank, most of the time they are not allowed to enter Al-Aqsa Mosque. In Ramadan they say they are giving us a privilege to allow men above 50 and for women to enter on Friday and Layla tul Qadr. We need you to fill the Masjid. It was a joy for us to see so many Muslims filling Masjid Al-Aqsa this year.”
Another obstacle is just getting to see family members. As Zayyad explained, a trip to see her brother-in-law, which is only ten minutes away, can take up to several hours because of the checkpoints. This is everyday life for them.
The importance of attending these events for the youth
Many of the older generation were brought up during Apartheid. They understand the struggles and hardships the Palestinians are going through. The younger generation do not. Unless they travel to Jerusalem, it will be impossible to truly understand the oppression Palestinians are going through, explained Mariam Mia, senior presenter at Salaamedia.
“Our youth, because they have not experienced Apartheid so it’s difficult for them to actually understand unless you visited Jerusalem, what it means to be marginalised. To be oppressed, to be robbed of opportunities, to be treated or degraded to not even second-class but dead class citizens. It’s important and then also the value and importance of Masjid Al-Aqsa in Islam for us. It’s not only our brothers and sisters but I’m appealing to the youth as well.”
To hear more from Abeer Zayyad on her experiences in Palestine and Masjid Al-Aqsa, listen to the podcast here:
