Sharjah Archaeology Authority (SAA) organized a virtual lecture entitled “Islamic Shrines and Sanctuaries in Jordan – a study on History and Archeology”, during which the researcher in the field of Tourism and Archeology, Dr. Jumana Duikat, talked about their importance, religious, and historical status, and the extent of their spread in various Jordanian cities and villages.
The lecture was delivered as part of a series of a weekly specialized scientific lectures organized by the Authority in the
Sharjah Archaeology Authority (SAA) organized a virtual lecture entitled “Islamic Shrines and Sanctuaries in Jordan – a study on History and Archeology”, during which the researcher in the field of Tourism and Archeology, Dr. Jumana Duikat, talked about their importance, religious, and historical status, and the extent of their spread in various Jordanian cities and villages.
The lecture was delivered as part of a series of a weekly specialized scientific lectures organized by the Authority in the context of promoting awareness on the restoration and maintenance of antiquities. The number of attendees exceeded 120 delegates of interested in preserving antiquities from inside and outside the UAE.
Dr. Jumana Dwaikat spoke about the issue of religious shrines and sanctuaries from a historical and archaeological point of view, which is considered one of the important topics since it played a strategic role throughout history as a link and subject of interaction between Arabian Peninsula, the country of the Levant, and Egypt. It also enjoys a historical and geographical importance, as many prophets and messengers passed through Jordan, lived, or died there.
She pointed out that Jordan is home for many shrines, including for example, but not limited to, the shrine of Prophet Noah in Karak, the shrine of the Prophet Yusha in Al-Balqa / Salt, the shrine of Prophet Shuaib in Al-Balqa as well, the shrine of the tribe Hazir in Salt, and the shrine of Prophet Musa in Mount Nebo in Madaba.
Dwaikat touched on the Castle and Mount Mukawir in Madaba, which was built around 90 BC, according to the oldest piece of mosaic in Jordan. The importance of the castle and the mountain lies in its religious status and value, as it is believed that Prophet Yahya (John the Baptist) was imprisoned and martyred there by the then Roman ruler Herod.
Important shrines and sanctuaries in Jordan
She continued: “There are many religious shrines and sanctuaries in Jordan, including the cave of Prophet Moses, the cave of Prophet Lot in southern Jordan valley near the Dead Sea, the lowest point in the world, and there is the shrine of Aaron in Petra, the sanctuary in which Christ was baptized in Wadi al-Kharar in the Jordan valley, which is currently a site on the world heritage list, as well as the Raqeem cave, the shrine of Dirar ibn al-Azwar, the shrine of Sharhabeel ibn Hasna, the shrines of Mutah martyrs, the shrine of Muadh ibn Jabal, and the shrine of al-Khidr, there are more than five shrines for al-Khidr in five different places in Jordan, in addition to other important religious shrines and sanctuaries that people know well, and they enjoy a distinctive and sacred place.”
All buildings of these Maqamat (shrines) are distinguished by the diversity of their architecture as well as the presence of mosaics in some of them.
