Whispers of ancient stories echo around the Shu’fat Eastern Mosque. This mosque stands in Shuafat a Palestinian Arab neighborhood of East Jerusalem. Shuafat lies about three miles north of the Old City. It is home to around 35000 residents.
Now let’s delve into the history of Shuafat. Findings suggest intermittent settlement in the area dating back 7000 years. A fortified agricultural settlement existed here in the 2nd–1st century BC. The settlement reached its peak during the Roman period between 70–130 CE. It was later abandoned or destroyed after the Bar Kokhba Revolt in 135 CE. Smaller-scale re-inhabitation occurred in the 2nd–4th centuries.
Biblical historians have proposed links to Mizpah in Benjamin and Nob. One review suggested Gebim though cautioning uncertainty. Archaeological digs in 1991 unearthed a 2nd-century BCE fortified settlement near Shuafat. An underground room was initially identified as a prayer room or synagogue. This interpretation has since been strongly questioned.
Jewish tombs from the Second Temple period have been discovered at Ramat Shlomo. A large quarry possibly linked to Herod’s expansion of the Second Temple has also been found there. The remains of a Jewish settlement from the Roman period were discovered near the Shuafat refugee camp. This settlement was inhabited between the two main Jewish revolts against the Romans. It was established after the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE. It was abandoned around 130 CE before the Bar Kokhba revolt. This settlement is thought to have housed elite Jewish families including priests. They stayed close to Jerusalem after its destruction.
The settlement appears to have been impeccably planned by the Roman authorities. It had orderly rows of houses and two fine public bathhouses. The discovery was a sign of active Jewish settlement in the Jerusalem area after 70 CE. The presence of chalkstone vessels indicates a Jewish settlement. These vessels were used only by Jews. They were believed not to transmit impurity. Jewish ritual baths have also been found.
The presence of public bathhouses initially made researchers speculate a mixed Jewish-Roman settlement. The quality of buildings rich coin hoards and imported wine attest to the wealth of the inhabitants.
The site was resettled on a smaller scale in the second–fourth centuries CE. Agricultural terraces were recently exposed west of Shuafat Street.
During the Crusader period the place was known as Dersophath or Dersophach. Remains of a Crusader structure have been found in the center of the village. Some thought it was a church. Others thought it was an old Crusading building a kind of khan.
Agricultural terraces were built during the Mamluk period.
In 1596 Shuafat had eight Muslim families who paid taxes on agricultural produce.
In 1838 Shuafat was described as a small Muslim village with the remains of an old wall. The French explorer Guérin visited in 1863 and noted that the village counted 150 inhabitants.
In 1922 Sha’afat had a population of 422 all Muslims.
In 1945 the population was 760 all Muslims.
In 1965 and 1966 many refugees were moved to Shuafat by force.
In 2001 Israeli authorities destroyed 14 homes under construction in Shuafat.
The Shu’fat Eastern Mosque stands as a testament to the area’s rich and complex history. It reflects layers of civilizations and communities that have shaped this land. As you stand here consider the echoes of the past and the continuing story of Shuafat.