At the time were Judaization of
Jerusalem targets all what express the history of this city materially or
morally, it was necessary to disclose some historical facts on few Jerusalemite
institutions and Foundations which reflects its civilized Arab roots, including
but not limited to, the Waqf Foundation which has preserved life continuity in
the city through long periods of time.
Accordingly, this
research aims at studying the real condition of Waqf (Religious endowment) in
Jerusalem, at the first mid of the seventh century, being an expressive model
of this foundation and its role during this Period. Upon perusing the archive
resources, represented in the Ottoman Registers at the Sharia court of
Jerusalem, it was obvious that they are abounding in information which describe
the status which the Waqf Foundations have reached and therefore its impact on
Jerusalem in general. In addition the
research aims at revealing the significance of this Foundation at the time were
Israel tries to control all its properties and to hinder its efforts to
undermine it to become nonfunctioning, which make it easier to submit it to be
under the Israeli control. Providing
that undermining this Foundation means harming a large segment of
Jerusalemites, particularly the poor and orphans, as well as the education
process for which a considerable Waqf( endowment) was dedicated.
In
light of this, the research attempts to highlight the weaknesses and methods of
reformation and rehabilitation used by Jerusalem governor for the advancement
of foundations in Jerusalem, including reconstruction, renting and loans; In
addition to the administrative organization under the wide spread of administrative
flabbiness and chaos in Jerusalem particularly, and Levant in general, being
the direct causes for undermining Waqfs. Moreover, the research highlighted the
prominent achievements in patronage of Waqf; which shall be a rule model to be
followed in this respect under the premeditated targeting by Israel.