Let me first say the last thing I will say: Everyone, whether a believer or not, every person in the world should definitely see Jerusalem... Because Jerusalem is like the center of the earth, offering a parade of stars to all its guests. Leave aside reasons such as "I want to go to Jerusalem, but it is dangerous", believe me, traveling in Istanbul traffic is more dangerous than traveling in Palestinian territory.
Mehmet Fatih ASLAN
Instagram: @mfaslan @kesfetmeyebak
Wailing Wall
Hz. The first place Adam stepped on after leaving heaven was Hz. Built by Solomon, Hz. In which Jesus was resurrected after death and ascended to the sky, Hz. Jerusalem is the city where Muhammad ascended to ascension... That's why I call it the Gateway of Stars. Because it bears traces from all heavenly religions and many civilizations, because it is believed that the earth began to be created from here, because countless wars have been fought for it, because it is the most ancient and sacred city on earth...
To come to Jerusalem, you need to land at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, the capital of Israel. Afterwards, it is 70 km from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. If you are in Israel for the first time, be prepared to spend several hours in an interrogation room. Finally your query will be over and they will give you an ID, you need to keep this ID until they come back.
From the courtyard of Al-Aqsa Mosque in the Christian Quarter of Old Jerusalem
You can also go to Jerusalem individually, but my advice is to go as part of a group with a tour company... Because there are many places to see and many stories to hear. Seeing and listening to these things while traveling with a guide will save you a lot of time. It will also make it easier to obtain a visa and enter Israel.
The Hebrew, Latin and Arabic names of the city of Jerusalem (Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Jerusalem) all have the same meaning: City of Peace. I wish it, like its name, would continue to exist in peace as long as the world remains.
Before leaving Tel Aviv…
While you are in Tel Aviv, the capital of Israel, I recommend you to see the Ottoman traces in the Jaffa district. Mahmudiye Mosque dated 1812 and II. The Jaffa Clock Tower, built during the reign of Abdulhamid, is an example of these traces.
Israel and Palestine, where Jerusalem is located…
Jerusalem consists of two parts: West and East. The eastern part belongs to Muslims and is included in the region that Palestine calls the West Bank. West Jerusalem is Israeli territory. In fact, let me state right away that Palestinian lands are actually under Israeli sovereignty. Even though Muslims live in half of Jerusalem or other Palestinian lands and it is officially a Palestinian state, Israel dominates everywhere. Whatever Israel says goes. They can take whatever Israel gives to Palestine. For example, wherever aid supplies go to Palestine from anywhere in the world, they must first stop by Israel. A Palestinian civilian, whether a soldier or a police officer, cannot enter Israel, but the Israeli police can enter Palestinian territory at any time and pick up anyone they want. Palestine has its own police, but it is ineffective, believe me, it would be more accurate to call it police.
Streets of Old Jerusalem
Jerusalem is a modern city. Inside this modern Jerusalem, there is the Old City of Jerusalem, surrounded by 4 km long walls, consisting of stone pavements and houses, mosques, churches and synagogues. The Church of the Holy Sepulcher, where it is believed that Jesus died after being crucified and was resurrected and ascended to heaven, is located in this old city.
Al-Aqsa Mosque; in Hz. It is an area that hosts the golden-domed Dome of the Rock, where Muhammad ascended to Ascension, and the black-domed Al-Aqsa Mosque (also called Masjid al-Aqsa Mosque or Qibla Mosque), as well as madrasahs, tombs and fountains. In other words, the courtyard the size of 20 football fields, containing all the structures and trees I have mentioned, is called Al-Aqsa Mosque.
One wall of Al-Aqsa Mosque is called the Wailing Wall. While Muslims pray on one side of the wall, Jews pray on the other side. The official name of the wall in the west is West Wall.
The old city of Jerusalem consists of four neighborhoods: Muslim, Christian, Jewish and Armenian Quarters. To explain it better, let me explain it this way: Let the area of Istanbul called Suriçi, where districts such as Sultanahmet, Çemberlitaş and Beyazıt are located, be Old Jerusalem, and Sultanahmet Square be Masjid al-Aqsa. The events we watch on television take place not in Old Jerusalem but in other parts of the city of Jerusalem, such as demonstrations in Taksim Square and Kadıköy outside Sultanahmet, which is a tourist area in Istanbul.
By the way, we see Jerusalem on television every time there is an incident and we think that incidents occur every day and that is why it is a very dangerous place. No, it is not like that, you can wander around comfortably as a tourist. Driving in Istanbul traffic is a more dangerous task. Especially the Old Jerusalem area is a completely touristic place. Muslims from all over the world, Christian pilgrims, and even local Muslim and Jewish people live and shop side by side here. This is a bit expensive area. I paid 80 TL for a plate of falafel and a drink a year ago.
Wailing Wall, Also the western wall of Al-Aqsa Mosque
If peace will reign on earth…
I believe that Jerusalem is of great importance for world peace, and if peace will prevail on earth one day, this will first be possible with peace starting in Jerusalem. Jerusalem should be a common value not only for Muslims, Christians or Jews, but for all humanity. That's what it is... But people of all religions need to adopt this "sincerely and without any self-interest". Only then can peace come.
Jerusalem is a point of balance that well-intentioned people of all faiths should protect. And anyone who wishes should be able to travel there freely. You can imagine that it is an extremely satisfying place for both photography lovers and cultural travel enthusiasts. I wish you many travels and bright days.
