Maqam an Nabi Mousa, (Tomb of the prophet Moses)
The
shrine or Maqam (in Arabic it means the place of habitat) - also referred
to as "Mazar" (literally meaning place of visitation) or the place that
houses the tomb of one of the prophets - is a splendid example of early
Islamic architecture set in an awe-inspiring landscape. It lies in the
heart of the Judean desert, about 30 kms east of Jerusalem and 8 kms southwest
of Jericho. A narrow road to the right of the main Jerusalem-Jericho road,
about 2 kms beyond the sign indicating sea level, leads to this grand domed
building which is held to be the burial place of Moses according to the
local Moslem tradition. Although, according to the Old Testament (Deuteronomy
34), Moses never entered Palestine, but rather died at Mount Nebo in modern-day
Jordan. The shrine is the only Moslem holy place of that stature in the
Jerusalem wilderness. However, considered along with the nearby Christian
sites, it forms a ring of religious places of stature.
The Maqam is a huge two-story building topped by a complex
of domes. The building consists of a large central open courtyard surrounded
by over 120 rooms, usually reserved for the rich families: poorer people
slept in tents or out in the open. Against the western wall of the courtyard
is the mosque which is divided in two parts (one for men and the other
for women). To the right of the main entrance to the mosque, another door
leads to a small chamber in the center of which is a tomb covered by a
green cloth: the burial place of the Prophet Moses. On the wall, a Mamluk
inscription reads: "The construction of this Maqam over the grave of the
Prophet who spoke with God, Moses, is ordered by his majesty Sultan Dhaher
Abu al Fatah Baybars, in the year 668 Hijri (AD 1269/70)." Baybars was
the leader who liberated Palestine from the Crusaders. The construction
of the Shrine (668 Hijri or 1269 AD) was a link in a chain of Islamic shrines
built by the Ayyubids and the Mamluks to honor and venerate prophets, the
companions of Prophet Mohammad, saints, and holy men. Their work included
shrines for prophets Saleh, Lot, Rubin, Youssef (Joseph), and other companions
and holy men. The roof of the Maqam offers a breathtaking panoramic view
of the Jordan valley and the desert hills beyond, as well as Mount Nebo
which can be easily discerned in the distance on a clear day.
The Festival of Nabi Mousa "The Mawsim"
This festival usually coincides with the Easter celebrations
in April, and originally developed in part as a response to the atmosphere
of religious fundamentalism engendered during the Crusader period. At that
time, Moslems were banned from visiting Jerusalem. Thus, the Nabi Mousa
festival was both a Moslem alternative and response to the Crusaders' occupation
of Jerusalem. Pilgrimage to the Maqam was encouraged by successive Moslem
rulers to counterbalance the influx of Christian pilgrims to Jerusalem
during the Holy Easter Week in April. From that time on, thousands of Moslems
from all over Palestine made it their habit to come to Jerusalem on Good
Friday. They prayed in Al Aqsa mosque and then marched in grand procession,
singing religious songs, dancing the traditional Dabkeh, and playing flutes
and drums until hey reached the Maqam. Prayers, celebrations, horse racind,a
dn games continued for five days around the shrine. This has developed
over the years to become one of the most attractive and popular festivals
in Palestine.
This year, the Nabi Moussa festival will begin on April
14th and continue until April 30th.
For more information on the festival and the site contact:
The Committee for the Promotion of Tourism in the Governorate of Jericho
tel: (02) 2321241, fax: (02) 2321291, e-mail: musallam@planet.edu