CHAPTER XV : THE NECROPOLISES IN AL-QODS

There are in Al-Qods various Muslim and Christian cemeteries. These are outside the ramparts and are situated east, west, and north of the city. The most important of these necropolises are the following :

1. The Cemetery of Mâmillâ

This necropolis, located west of the city, is the largest in Al-Qods. Many dignitaries, scholars, and martyrs were entombed therein.

Mâmillâ, the name of this cemetery, is said to be the contracted form of the Arabic phrase mâman Allah (the refuge of Allah). The Christians call this cemetery Babella while the Jews call it Beth Melou. However, the most common name for it is Mâmillâ.

In the middle of this necropolis is a shrine in ruin which the Muslims call Al-Qalandariyya. The Christians have a different name for it.

Another elaborate construction in this cemetery is a dome called Al-Kabakiyya, which is derived from the name of Prince Alâuddîn Abdullah Al-Kabarî.

2. The Cemetery of Bâb Ar-Rahma

This necropolis is situated alongside the east wall of Al-Haram Al-Shareef and is considered to be the cemetery nearest to the Old City. It contains the shrine of Shaddâd bin Aous Al-Ansârî and of other erudites and saints.

3. The Cemetery of As-Sâhira

This Muslim cemetery is located on a high mountain near Bâb As-Sâhira, north of the Old City. It contains the shrines of many benefactors. The word as-sâhira in Arabic means "desert area", or "land surface", or, according to some, "vast flat land". (454)

454. Ad-Dabbâgh, Our Land Palestine, pp. 312-313.
Al-Hanbalî, Al-Ounsu Al-Jalîl, Vol. 2, p. 62.

4. The Cemetery of Ash-Shouhadâ' (of the Martyrs)

This cemetery is located in the vicinity of Bâb As-Sâhira and on the east side of it. (455)

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It should be noted that there are also Christian and Jewish necropolises in Al-Qods. Most of the Christian ones are located on Mount Zion, like the Roman Orthodox Cemetery, the Latin Cemetery, the Protestant Cemetery, and the Armenian Cemetery. (456)

One of the Jewish cemeteries is located east of the ramparts in the valley known as Gehenna; it stretches from this valley across to Râs Al-'Amoud to the east foot of the Mount of Olives and contains four of the shrines that are most venerated by the Jews : Anthelme, Yehuda Shavat, Jacob, and Prophet Zachary (PBUH). (457)

455. Al-Hanbalî, Ibid., p. 64.

456. Al-'Aref, A History of Al-Qods, p. 264.

457. Al'Aref, Ibid., p. 238.