Amman, July 30 (Petra) - The Arab Thought Forum (ATF) hosted a symposium on Wednesday in Amman, bringing together scholars and historians to address ongoing challenges to Jerusalem's Arab-Islamic identity.
Amani Jarrar, ATF's Acting Secretary-General, opened the event by warning that Jerusalem faces systematic policies aimed at altering its historical identity. She emphasized that these measures target not only physical landmarks, but also the city's Palestinian residents, stressing the urgency of supporting local resilience against Judaization efforts.
Historical scholar Hind Abu Shaar said a comprehensive understanding of Jerusalem's history requires drawing on diverse historical sources that reflect the city's unique civilizational heritage. She highlighted examples from the late Ottoman period based on municipal records, Sharia court archives and the local press, which documented Jerusalem's social, cultural and political life.
Abdulrahman Kilani, dean of the Sharia Faculty at the University of Jordan, underscored the "vital role" of the Hashemite Custodianship over Islamic and Christian holy sites, noting its religious, historical, and international legal foundations.
Bassam Shahatit, Melkite Greek Catholic Church priest, described Jerusalem as a symbol of interfaith harmony, pointing out that the Muslim and Christian presence has long served as a model for cultural coexistence.
Addressing human rights and demographic pressures, Ziad Abu Laban, Director-General of the Jerusalem Studies Center, explained how targeted policies strain Jerusalem’s healthcare, education, housing, and labor sectors. Despite these socioeconomic pressures, he noted, Palestinian families and local institutions "continue to demonstrate remarkable community strength." Abdullah Kanaan, Royal Committee for Jerusalem Affairs' Secretary-General, reminded attendees that international law still recognizes Jerusalem as occupied Palestinian territory, rendering all unilateral Israeli annexation and settlement policies null and void.
The symposium concluded with an interactive discussion involving diplomats and academics, alongside an art exhibition organized with the Department of the National Library showcasing historical paintings of Jerusalem across different eras.
//Petra// HA
