Going back to the sources to preserve the Islamic history of Palestine. Jerusalem's archival heritage as a case study

Abstract

With regard to the presence of very important archives located in the heart of the most important city of Palestine (such as the maktaba al–masjid al–Aqsâ, the maktaba al–Budayriyya and the maktaba al– Uzbakiyya, to give an example), and in consideration of the recent events which have negatively involved both its social and cultural life, it seems to us that Jerusalem al–Quds can well represent an emblematic case study. To better highlight the necessity of going back to the sources in order to re–establish, and therefore to preserve, the Islamic history of Palestine, and to better define the significant role of Jerusalem’s archives, we consider it useful to precise both the historical and the social context which has seen the birth of a significant part of such institutions, and which corresponds to the late–Ottoman era (mid–19th — early 20th century). In particular, the case of the maktaba al–Khâlidiyya, founded at the beginning of the 20th century, will serve to give an idea — although it could not be exhaustive — of the complex activity of such cultural centers, their impact on social life as well as the peculiar relevance of the Palestinian, and even not–Palestinian, ‘ulamâ’ who offered a precious contribution to their foundation, and to their revitalization too.