The Al-Aqsa Fire of 21 August 1969
A documented event that struck the Qibli prayer hall, remembered in contemporary memory as a painful station in the Haram's history.
On 21 August 1969 a fire broke out at Al-Aqsa Mosque, striking parts of the Qibli prayer hall, including the minbar of Nur al-Din which, according to widely transmitted historical accounts, had been moved to Al-Aqsa in Saladin’s era. The event is documented in contemporary coverage and later studies.
What does memory mean here?
Remembering the fire is remembering the vulnerability of the sacred building to aggression and neglect alike, and the importance of restoration and protection. The card does not replace detailed historical reports.
Closing
The topic continues in the Al-Aqsa section and the Qibli prayer hall page.