This week's subject of the e-panels series of the Center for Economic and Social Researches (ESAM) Istanbul Branch was Jerusalem.
This year, the week when Miraj coincided, "International Jerusalem Week" was declared. ESAM, wishing to contribute to this meaningful announcement, organized a panel on "The Door to Peace: Jerusalem" to bring Jerusalem to the public's agenda.
Prof. Dr. Mustafa Güler, Assoc. Dr. Eldar Hasanoglu and researcher and writer Ali Yelgün attended the panel moderated by journalist-writer Halis Mutlu.
"JERUSALEM IS A CITY WITH ITS NAME"
Speaking in the "How Jerusalem became sacred" section of the panel, Assoc. Dr. Eldar Hasanoglu, "The word meaning of Jerusalem comes from holiness. It is a city true to its name. Masjid al-Aqsa is the first qibla of Muslims and is the second temple built on earth. Mubarak Aqsa is a temple that was sanctified while the Prophet was still alive. For the Jews who did not appreciate the value of Jerusalem throughout history, the sacredness of Jerusalem begins in the exile of Babylon. We see that since the 1800s, Jews started to plan on Jerusalem. Abdulhamit Han made efforts to prevent these attempts. Jews occupied Jerusalem under the auspices of the British, taking advantage of the political environment after the First World War," he said.
"FOUNDATIONS, THE MOST FUNDAMENTAL POSTS OF THE PALESTINE AND THE MASJID-I AQSA CASE"
Explaining the subject of "Foundations and Jerusalem", Prof. Dr. Mustafa Guler, "Foundations are indispensable by UNESCO, by the United Nations and under our law. On the other hand, Palestine and Jerusalem are among the issues that need to be positioned elsewhere in terms of foundations. Foundations are one of the main pillars of the Palestine and Masjid-i Aqsa case. The information and documents that emerged with the developments in this matter created a serious infrastructure for our brothers who are continuing the Palestine cause. But every struggle has different legs. It would be wrong to say that the Jerusalem issue will be solved only through foundations. If other aspects of the issue get stronger along with the issue of foundations, Jerusalem and Masjid al-Aqsa will cease to be a painful expatriate for us," he said.
"THE BURAK WALL DEVOTED TO THE JEWS BY THE OTTOMANS"
Mustafa Güler, pointing to the Ottoman foundation archives in Palestine, "If there is no memory, you do not have a struggle infrastructure. We have a solid archive infrastructure regarding foundations in Jerusalem. Foundation properties, which we call charity to a large extent, are standing in Palestine. For example, Halîlürrahman Complex stands as a charity, although some of it is under occupation. All foundations follow-ups, foundation registrations, foundation duties, foundations transfers in Masjid-i Aqsa continue in a very robust manner. No matter how hard the Israelis try, they cannot reach Masjid al-Aqsa thanks to this foundation aspect. Moreover, the Burak Wall, which is one of the important places where they worship today, was also devoted to the Jews by the Ottoman Empire," he said.