The Hashemites
The Hashemite Custodianship of Islamic and Christian Holy Sites in Jerusalem
Since 1917, the Hashemite Kings’ Custodianship of Jerusalem’s Holy Sites has preserved and guaranteed the religious rights of Muslims and Christians in Jerusalem and the integrity of their Holy Sites.
His Majesty King Abdullah II inherited the Custodianship of Jerusalem’s Islamic and Christian Holy Sites from his Hashemite ancestors, starting with his great-great-grandfather King and Sharif Hussein bin Ali. When King Abdullah II’s father, the late King Hussein bin Talal, declared Jordan’s disengagement from the West Bank in 1988, he specifically excluded East Jerusalem’s Holy Sites and Waqf properties from the disengagement, and so maintained the Hashemite Custodianship.The exclusion was coordinated with PLO President Yasser Arafat. Jordan’s special role was subsequently acknowledged in the 1994 peace treaty between Jordan and Israel.
After Palestine was recognised as a non-member observer state by the UNGA in 2012, His Majesty King Abdullah II and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas signed a historical agreement in Amman on 31 March 2013, reaffirming the King’s Custodianship over Holy Sites in Jerusalem, and stating that His Majesty has the right to exert all legal efforts to safeguard them, especially Al Aqsa Mosque, which is defined as “The Entirety of Al Haram Al Sharif.”
First Hashemite Restoration (1922-1952)
In 1922, the Islamic Higher Council was established to preserve Islamic ideals and protect the sanctuaries of Palestine. The council took responsibility for raising funds to restore the Dome of the Rock. A delegation visited Sharif Hussein bin Ali in 1924
Second Hashemite Restoration (1952-1964)
The 1950s restorations replaced the outer wooden plates of the Dome of the Rock, which had not prevented water from leaking into the interior, with aluminium support beams and gilded plates. The dome was also losing its golden polish
Third Hashemite Restoration - Emergency Restorations (1969–present)
The Minbar of Salah Al Din in Al Qibli Mosque in Al Aqsa Mosque/Al Haram Al Sharif suffered great damage when it was set on fire on 21 August 1969, by an Australian Zionist, Dennis Michael Rohan. The Minbar, which was made by Sultan Nur Al Din Zengi
Fourth Hashemite Restoration (1990-1994)
By the 1990s, the Dome of the Rock was beginning to suffer damage again due to both environmental conditions and frequent Israeli police sound bombs. This could be seen on both the interior and exterior. In 1992
Fifth Hashemite Restoration (1994–present)
Christian and Islamic holy sites in Jerusalem remain of great importance to His Majesty King Abdullah II. As a continuation of the Royal commitment to their care, His Majesty established the Hashemite Fund for the Restoration of Al Aqsa Mosque/Al Haram Al
Restoration of Islamic shrines in Jordan
The Hashemite initiative to restore the shrines of Prophet Muhammad’s companions and Prophets in Jordan commenced under the reign of King Hussein bin Talal. In 1984