The Sanctuary of Sheikh el-Qatrawani

Al-ʿUsur al-Wusta

Located in a corner of the Biqāʿ Valley, midway along the ancient route linking Beirut to Damascus, ʿAnjar remains one of the most significant—though least understood—Umayyad foundations in Greater Syria. With a plan shaped in strict accordance with the criteria of Hippodamian urbanism, the town constitutes a unique trait d’union between the classical urban tradition and the foundations of the early Islamic empire. This notwithstanding, and despite the importance of the site having been recognized and emphasized by many scholars, its origins, history, purpose, and patronage remain major enigmas in the field. This paper will discuss some insights surfaced from an analysis of the mosque‒dār al-imāra complex in ʿAnjar with the aim to contribute to a more nuanced understanding of the site’s use and meaning in the Marwānid period.

Palestine Exploration Quarterly, 2010

The existence of sacred places is a widespread phenomenon throughout Palestine, one which is reflected in various types of local sites, such as water sources, graves, caves, trees and constructed shrines (maqams). In Islamic Palestine, the construction of maqams originated with the Fatimid (a Shiite group), in order to memorialise and 'greet' distinguished figures descended from the family of the prophet Muhammad. Thereafter , the Sunni faith actively adopted this concept and dedicated more than 2,500 sites to prophets, holy people, the righteous and martyrs. The sacred place of Sheikh Shihab ed-Din, like several hundred other Islamic maqams throughout Mandate Palestine, is located on top of a natural hill commanding a panoramic view. This place has held religious importance during the Byzantine and Ayyubid-Mamluk periods, right through to the present day. This paper studies the construction of the maqam as well as its related archaeological remains. It is based on a field study, a survey of the literature, and archaeological explorations conducted during a brief excavation season.

Art and Material Culture in the Byzantine and Islamic Worlds, 2021

The Encyclopaedia of Islam Three, 2023

Named after one of the two core settlements of Old Fez, the Qarawiyyīn Mosque and its annexes constitute one of the oldest continuously functioning religious and intellectual centres in Morocco. The initial neighbourhood mosque, founded in 263/877, has been expanded and modified, adopting some innovative functions; all dynasties contributed to its architectural, decorative, and operational programme. Today, the complex incorporates several madrasas, most of which date to the Marīnid period, and a library that houses a unique collection of Arabic manuscripts.

Parole de l'Orient, 2010

Ancient Synagogues Revealed 1981-2022, 2023

The Byzantine Synagogue at Umm el-Qanatir - excavtion and reconstruction

Jamiʿ al-Sittin-An Early Islamic Mosque near Tel Shiloh, 2021

The article deals with the history of Jamiʿ al-Sittin, an Early Islamic building located south of Tel Shiloh. Based on an analysis of archaeological finds, architectural comparanda and Medieval travelers' literature, we conclude that in the Early Islamic period, probably by the time of the Abbasid dynasty, a mosque was erected here; somewhat later in the same period, sloping walls were added in order to reinforce the building, possibly to adjust for the dome that was affixed to the roof. In the Mamluk period a vaulted room and courtyard were appended, and the building continued to be in use during the Ottoman period. We identify this building with the 'Mosque of the Sak na' (or 'Dome of the Sak na', 'Domus Dei') which is known from written sources.