Masjid al-Aqsa: A Journey Through Time Book

The Palestine Information Network (PIN) launched it’s maiden book, Masjid al-Aqsa: A Journey Through Time by Hafiz Ebrahim Moosa on June 15, 2021.

Below is all you need to know about this exciting book.

 

About the book

 

About the author

 

About the publisher

 

Book stats

 

Launch event

 

Press coverage

 

Reviews

 

Distribution

 

About the book

Masjid al-Aqṣā was the first Qiblah of the believers, the second mosque to be established on earth and the third holiest site in Islam. It is a site cherished and beloved to the hearts of Muslims the world over. Al-Quds (Jerusalem), the city within which it resides, likewise is steeped in layers of symbolism and history, and is held sacred by all the Abrahamic faiths.

Masjid al-Aqṣā is a hub of barakah (blessings), the abode of the Prophets and pious people, and a living repository of Islamic heritage; a place that has been embellished with rare beauty and specialities.

As the Masjid continues to dominate headlines and the global current affairs agenda for the ominous trends that surround it — as does the wider region wherein it is situated — these events have inadvertently kindled a keen interest in Al-Aqsa, sparking renewed enthusiasm about its rich history and heightening the longing to visit it.

It is vital that this thirst to rediscover the first Qiblah be quenched with an authentic elucidation of its history and that seekers be offered the option of accessing a Muslim-centric narrative of a site which in any case draws its holiness from none other than the Qurʾān and the Sunnah.

Masjid al-Aqṣā: A Journey Through Time is the culmination of numerous speaking engagements of the same title undertaken by the author in South Africa over the past decade. The key objective of these talks, and now, by extension, the book, is to dispel the misconception that Masjid al-Aqṣā in Islamic tradition only draws its significance from Prophet Muḥammad’s H miraculous journey of Isrāʾ and Miʿrāj. To the contrary, this work sets out to illustrate how the Masjid has an illustrious history feted in Islam, almost from the onset of human existence, and how it will maintain its significance right until the End of Time. To this end, the book adopts a chronological approach, also intended to fill a gap in English language literature on Masjid al-Aqṣā for accessible works structured in this manner.

Some unique features of the work:

• Telling the story of Masjid al-Aqsa from an Islamocentric paradigm.

• Easy to follow chronological approach through various historical eras and the relation of the Masjid to each.

• Expanding the appreciation of the Masjid from just one or two commonly related events to a broad vista that extends from the beginning to the end of time.

• How the Muslim connection to Al-Aqsa is an intrinsic rather than occasional one.

• Full colour, complemented with ample pictures and a bold, compact and appealing design.

• ‘Side note’ fact boxes that provide fascinating anecdotes to complement the core text.

• A labour of love, and a call from the heart to fulfil our responsibilities towards Masjid al-Aqsa.

 

About the author

Hafiz Ebrahim Moosa is co-ordinator of the Palestine Information Network. He is also a community journalist and broadcaster, having travelled widely, and served various roles including content and online manager at Cii Radio. He is currently a presenter at Radio Islam International based in Johannesburg. He also continues his formal study of the traditional Islamic Sciences.

Twitter: @ebrahim_moosa

 

About the publisher

The Palestine Information Network (PIN) is a South African based non-profit institution providing structured education on Palestine. PIN aspires to be a global leader in leveraging and disseminating education in order to achieve meaningful action and make a positive difference in the lives of Palestinians. Key focus areas include research, training and curriculum development. PIN also administers the masjidalaqsa.net and @firstqiblah online platforms, dedicated to educating about the rich history and heritage, as well as current developments, at Masjid al-Aqsa in Jerusalem.

Twitter: @learnpalestine

 

Book stats

Title: Masjid al-Aqsa – A Journey Through Time

Author: Ebrahim Moosa

Publisher: Palestine Information Network (PIN)

Genre: Non-Fiction/History/Islam/Palestine/Masjid al-Aqsa/Jerusalem

ISBN: 978-0-620-89358-9

Publication Date: 2020

Number of pages: 209

Cover: Paperback

Recommended selling price: R299

Available from: Leading community bookstores in South Africa and online palestineinfo.org

 

Launch event

 

Masjid al-Aqsa: A Journey through Time was launched virtually on 15 June 2021, in an event that featured the PIN team, a discussion with the author, keynote addresses by Ibrahim Hewitt and Nkosi Zwelivelile “Mandla” Mandela, and messages of support from well-wishers.

READ: Keynote address by Nkosi Zwelivelile Mandela

Watch the full event below:

 

Press coverage

Book throw-forward with Moulana Sulaimaan Ravat on Radio Islam International

 

Interview with Yusuf Alli on Markaz Sahaba Online Radio

 

Independent Press: New book throws fresh light on the struggle in and around al-Aqsā Mosque