[Thread]
Almohad Military Expedition and Conquest of Jerusalem against the Christian Crusaders.

Moroccan Presence in Jerusalem since Medieval Times.

During the Almohad Era, Moroccan Caliph Yaqub Al Mansur establishes an alliance with Egypt under Ayubbid Sultan Saladin.

Saladin sends an ambassador to Marrakesh to plead allegiance to the Almohad Caliphate and prepare plans to fight against Christian Crusaders.

After formalising the Alliance between the Almohads and Ayubbids, Saladin requests the help of the Almohad Navy under the command of Ahmad Al Siqilli.

Saladin recognized that Almohads were the only Muslim Navy capable to match the Crusaders.

Picard, Sea of the Caliphs

Frankish Crusader navy under Raynald Of Châtillon is sowing terror in the Red Sea, destroying pilgrim boats, blocking Hejaz ports with the goal of destroying the Kaaba in Mecca.

The Crusader expedition is destroyed by Almohads who capture his followers and behead them.

5 years later, the Ayubbids with the help of Almohad army conquer Jerusalem from the hands of the Crusaders during the Battle of Hattin.

The troubadour poet Gavaudan calls Christians to rally against "Rey de Marroc" who threatens Christianity in Andalus and Jerusalem.

Humbled by the courage of Moroccan soldiers, Saladin invites them to stay and repopulate Jerusalem.

Later, Saladin's son will give an entire area for Moroccans to live in Jerusalem which will be named the Moroccan Quarter.

«The Moroccan quarter was established as a Muslim Waqf, inalienable charitable endowment under Islamic law, in 1193 by al-Malik al-Afdal, son of Ayyubid Sultan Saladin, who conquered the city from the Crusaders»

Rashid Khalidi, Palestinian Identity

The Moroccan Quarter has been the home of Moroccan descendants from the 13th Century to 1967 who still embrace their Moroccan heritage and transmit their ancestors' history.

Centuries of Moroccan culture presence has left an indelible mark and influence in Jerusalem. Here is a testimony of an inhabitant who acknowledges the Moroccan heritage.

Abdelillah Benarafa mentions extensively this Moroccan influence on Jerusalem in his book.

Abdelillah Benarafa, Mount Qaf : A Biographical Novel on Andalusia Mystic Muhyiddin Ibn Al-Arabi.

He reminds that "Moroccans were well known in this city for the miracles they did for the defense of Muslims"

" Moroccan rugs, more wonderful than silk, were appreciated by everyone. Moroccan red felt fabric became the most sought after accessory for Ulemas and Rulers " by Al Jahiz.

The Moroccan Quarter was destroyed during the 1967 war by Israel to make room for the Kotel (Wailing Wall/Buraq Wall).

It has become one of the holiest place of prayer for Jews who commemorate the destruction of the Temple.

After its destruction, half the inhabitants came back to Morocco centuries after their ancestors left. King Hassan II managed to bring them from Amman, Jordan.

Those who decided to stay are now in the Shu'fat Jerusalem East refugee camp.

Two gates named after Morocco are located at the limits of the old Moroccan quarter.

The first Morocco gate was built in the 12th Century under Saladin's Ayubbid dynasty.

It leads from the Moroccan quarter to Mosque Al Aqsa through a wooden bridge named Mughrabi Bridge.

The other Morocco gate is one of the gates of the Old City of Jerusalem and leads to the Moroccan quarter.

It was built in the 16th Century under Soliman's Ottoman Dynasty.

Grand Mufti of Jerusalem , Amin Al Husseini and Yasser Arafat and his family used to live in the Moroccan Quarter .

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"The Muwahhids (Almohads), like the Murabits (Almoravids), were really Moroccan Rulers, to whom Spain was a foreign Province"

Lacy O'Leary, Arabic Thought and Its Place in History