 Chronologie |
1869
- 1918
1919 - 1932
1934 - 1945
1946 - 1950
1951 - 1966
1967 - 1974
1975 - 1985
1986 - 1989
1990 - 1995
1996 - 1999
2000 - 2002
|
Haj
Amin al-Husseini
Appointed
Mufti of Jerusalem by the British in 1921, Haj Amin al-Husseini
was the most prominent Arab figure in Palestine during the Mandatory
period. Al-Husseini was born in Jerusalem in 1893, and went
on to serve in the Ottoman Army during World War I. Anti-British
and anti-Jewish, the mufti was the key nationalist figure
among Muslims in Palestine. Fearful that increased Jewish immigration
to Palestine would damage Arab standing in the area, the
mufti engineered the bloody riots against Jewish settlement
in 1929 and 1936.
Al-Husseini's appointment as mufti was itself the subject
of much controversy. The decision to grant al-Husseini the
position was made by Herbert Samuel,
the first high commissioner of Palestine. It was odd that
Samuel, a British Jew, would appoint a man who would be responsible
for so much unrest within the Mandatory area. Al-Husseini
in fact had been sentenced to ten years in prison by the British
for inciting riots in 1920. None of that sentence was served,
as al-Husseini had fled to Transjordan, and was soon
after amnestied by Samuel himself.
For his part, al-Husseini had used his influence to quiet
additional disturbances in 1921. He assured Samuel that he
would continue to maintain order, and it was with this understanding
that the high commissioner granted him the position of mufti.
In the following year, he was also appointed to lead the Supreme
Muslim Council, expanding his already significant powers.
Known later as the Grand Mufti, al-Husseini was able to establish
himself as the preeminent Arab power in Palestine.
One of the mufti's most successful projects was the restoration
of the Dome of the Rock and the al-Aqsa mosque. With funds
collected from India and various Arab states, the Dome was
plated in gold. The impressive looks of the Dome greatly enhanced
the status of Jerusalem in the eyes of Muslims throughout
the world. Similarly, al-Husseini's own status as Mufti of
Jerusalem increased his standing as an influential Arab leader.
The mufti was dismissed from his position following the riots
of 1936. No longer able to stay in Palestine, he continued
his extremist activities from abroad. During World War
II, the mufti was involved in the mobilization of support
for Germany among Muslims. Although he continued to be
involved in politics, al-Husseini's influence gradually declined
after the defeat of the Arab armies in 1948.
|
