Notice Illustrée sur Al-Haram Al-Sharif Jerusalem visitor's guide to the Temple Mount - published by the Supreme Muslim Council - Jerusalem, 1927 - second edition - French.
Visitor's guide to the Temple Mount (al-Haram ash-Sharif) - a description of its buildings, their importance and historical origin. Along with the descriptions of the entrances to the Temple Mount, the guide includes seven photographs originating from the photographs of the American Colony in Jerusalem (at the beginning of the guide the publisher thanks the colony people who agreed to use the photographs for the guide): a panoramic view of the Temple Mount; Sebil Qaitbay (the Qaitbay Bay fountain); Minbar al-Saif (the summer pulpit); the Dome of the Rock; the Foundation Stone ("the Rock"); and al-Aqsa Mosque (exterior and interior views). At the beginning of the guide it is written that the entire site is holy to Muslims, therefore visitors should refrain from smoking in it and bringing dogs into the compound. And that the entrance hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. every day except Friday.
The guide was published by the Supreme Muslim Council, a body that represented the religious interests of the Arab public in Palestine during the British Mandate period. The council was established in 1922 and was in charge of managing the Waqf properties, including the Temple Mount, and managing the Muslim court system; Haj Amin al-Husseini was elected as its president. Although the guide was written from a Muslim point of view, it defines the Temple Mount as the site of the Temple. On page three it is written: "You are in one of the most ancient sites that exist, whose holiness dates back to the most ancient periods. Its identity with the site of Solomon's Temple leaves no room for doubt; and here David built 'מזבח לה', וַיַּעַל עֹלוֹת וּשְׁלָמִים' [Shmuel Bet, 24:25]." And later it is explained about the place called "Mahkmat Daoud" (Dome of the Chain) where David's court was located. It is also written about the 15 columns in the Western Wall that they served to reinforce the Temple in Solomon's time, and that at the time of the conquest of Jerusalem by Titus the place served as a refuge for the Jews.
Rare. In the world cat library catalog, only two copies appear from this 1927 printing.
16 p. 24.5 cm. Original cover. Filing holes. Good condition. The upper corner of the back cover with parts of the stamp of the Supreme Muslim Council is detached as in all known copies (this is a sign that the guide was used).
