Transcript Palestine Currency

PALESTINE
The Country , The History & The Culture
Palestine
Greek: Παλαιστίνη, Palaistinē
; Latin: Palaestina; Hebrew: ‫ פלשתינה‬Palestina;
Arabic: ‫ فلسطين‬Filasṭīn, Falasṭīn, Filisṭīn)
is a name which has been widely used since
Roman times to refer to the region that was
earlier called Judea, which spreads between
the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River. It
is derived from a name used already much
earlier for a narrower geographical region
mainly along the coast.,
FLAG
FLAG
RED:
The Khawarij were the first Islamic group to emerge after the assassination of
Caliph Uthman III, forming the first republican party in the early days of Islam.
Their symbol was the red flag. Arab tribes who participated in the conquest of
North Africa and Andalusia carried the red flag, which became the symbol of the
Islamic rulers of Andalusia (756-1355). In modern times, red symbolizes the
Ashrafs of the Hijaz and the Hashemites, descendants of the Prophet. Sharif
Hussein designed the current flag as the flag of the Arab Revolt on June 1916.
The Palestinian people raised it as the flag of the Arab National movement in
1917. In 1947, the Arab Ba'ath Party interpreted the flag as a symbol of the
liberation and unity of the Arab nation. The Palestinian people readopted the
flag at the Palestinian conference in Gaza in 1948. The flag was recognized by
the Arab League as the flag of the Palestinian people. It was further endorsed
by the PLO, the representative of the Palestinians, at the Palestinian conference
in Jerusalem in 1964.
FLAG
BLACK:
The Prophet Mohammad (570-632)
In the seventh century, with the rise of Islam and subsequent liberation of
Mecca, two flags - one white, one black - were carried. On the white flag was
written, "There is no god but God (Allah) and Mohammad is the Prophet of
God."
In pre-Islamic times, the black flag was a sign of revenge. It was the color of the
headdress worn when leading troops into battle.
Both black and white flags were placed in the mosque during Friday prayers.
The Abbasid Dynasty (750-1258), ruling from Baghdad, took black as a symbol
of mourning for the assassination of relatives of the Prophet and in
remembrance of the Battle of Karbala.
FLAG
WHITE:
The Umayyad Dynasty (661-750), Damascus
The Umayyads ruled for ninety years, taking white as their symbolic color as a
reminder of the Prophet's first battle at Badr, and to distinguish themselves from
the Abbasids, by using white, rather than black, as their color of mourning.
Mu'awia Ibn Abi Sufian (661-750), founder of the Umayyad state, proclaimed
himself Caliph of Jerusalem.
GREEN:
The Fatimid Dynasty (909-1171), North Africa
The Fatimid Dynasty was founded in Morocco by Abdullah Al-Mahdi, and went
on rule all of North Africa.
They took green as their color, to symbolize their allegiance to Ali, the Prophet's
cousin, who was once wrapped in a green coverlet in place of the Prophet in
order to thwart an assassination attempt.
CURRENCY
Palestine Currency is that of pound which was previously the currency
of the British Mandate of Palestine between the years of 1927 till 1948.
The Palestine Currency of pound was used by the Emirate of
Transjordan until the year of 1949 and by the West Bank until the year
1950. The Palestinian Pound is divided into one thousand mills. The
currency of Palestine is issued by the Palestine currency Board.
CURRENCY
The Palestine Currency has its coins available in the denominations of
100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 mills. The notes belonging to the Palestinian
Currency are available in the denominations of 500, 100, 50, 10, 5 and 1
pounds. The notes of the Currency of Pound are printed from the
Thomas De La Rue.
A collection of Palestinian Traditional Costumes. These items are
representative of the different geographic regions in Palestine such as
Bethlehem, Ramallah, Hebron, Bir al Sabe' etc
COSTUMES
COSTUMES
Traditional Wedding Ceremony
STAMPS
This was the original postage
stamp issued by the British
Mandatory Government that
occupied the Land Of Palestine
until 1948.
STAMPS
The stamp shown has been
very recently issued by the
Palestinian Authority for their
postal service in the areas
Judea, Samaria and Gaza. It
contains a reproduction of
stamp that was once in use
during the British Mandate of
Palestine in the early to mid20th Century. The PLO has
done the same with two other
British Mandate stamps, the
Dome Of The Rock on the
Temple mount, and David's
Tower featured below.
Hisham’s Palace
MONUMENTS
Hisham’s Palace
Qasr Hisham (Hisham's Palace) is just five kilometres north of Jericho. The
palace was a country residence, built in AD 743 by Al-Walid Ibn Yazid, although
it owes its name to his uncle, the Umayyad caliph Hisham Ibn Abd Al-Malik,
who ruled an empire stretching from India to the Pyrenees.
Hisham, like most early Umayyad rulers, preferred the freedom of the desert to
life in the capital city Damascus. The palace is a complex of residential
quarters, baths, mosques, and colonnaded courts. Its mosaics and stucco
ornaments are fine examples of early Islamic architecture.
Experts believe that an earthquake destroyed the palace before it was
completed. Thus the accumulated sand and debris helped to preserve the
palace's lovely mosaics.
The mosaic floors of the baths are a major attraction, but the Tree of Life or the
Tree of Human Cruelty is one of the most beautiful mosaics in the Near East.
Its vibrant green and gold colours are just astounding, as is its subject. Many of
the carved stuccos from the palace are displayed at the Rockefeller
Archaeological Museum in Jerusalem.
Hisham’s Palace
El Omary Mosque in Gaza
It was built during the first Islamic era, the Omary conquest
MONUMENTS
El Aqsa Mosque
MONUMENTS
El Aqsa Mosque
The Blessed El Aqsaa mosque is built south of the glorified Dome Rock and
has an area of about 4400 square meters. It was built by the caliph Abdel
Malek Ben Marouane in 693 A.D. It was completed by Al Walid Ben Abdel
Malek in 705 A.D. on the site of the mosque of Omar Ben Al Khattab PUH,
which was in the eastern part. The mosque is 70 meters long and 55 meters
wide. It stands on 53 marble columns and 49 square-shaped pillars.
When the crusaders occupied Al Quds they built a church on part of its
grounds. They made of the other part lodging quarters for their horsemen and
a storage for their provisions. But Salah Din repaired the mosque, renovated
the mihrab and covered the dome with mosaic tiles. He also brought the
minbar, which is made of wood and inlayed with ivory and ebony from Aleppo.
He put it in the mosque as a symbol of victory.
El Aqsa Mosque
MONUMENTS
El Aqsa Mosque
Al Aqsaa mosque highlights the beauty of islamic decoration which is
represented by the inside wooden dome, which is covered by beautifully goldcoloured three-dimensional and proportional herbal designs. The windows are
surrounded by a design of inclined lines drawn on plaster. The glass is tinted
in different colours, which prevents the direct entry of sun rays. This gives the
mosque elegance and beauty, and inspires reverence and spirituality.
The restoration of the mosque started immediately after it was burnt by the
Israelis on 21/8/1969, and the traces of the fire were removed. Now, the
inside dome is being restored, as well as the Quranic writings, and the Isra’a
Surat which is spelled out in colored mosaics. It begins from the top of the
mihrab and extends in the eastern direction for 24 meters. All the necessary
decorative plans have been prepared to make a new minbar in replacement
of the burnt minbar.
The Rock Dome
MONUMENTS
The Rock Dome
The caliph Abdel Malek Ben Marwan built the Honoured Rock Dome between
685-691 A.D., as a result of the stability witnessed by the Umayyad dynasty at
that time and in order to gather all Muslims around it. The building was planned
in such a way to be the focus of attention for all. In fact it is considered a
masterpiece of islamic architecture throughout history. The diameter of the dome
is 20.3 meters inside and its height is 20.48 meters.
The elegance and beauty of the Blessed Rock dome has bewildered all the
scientists and researchers who have tried to study it, and who see in it a
combination of architectural beauty and arabic art, with the influence of
byzantine style. It is doubtless that Arab, Roman and Byzantine artisans have all
participated in its construction, under the supervision of Rajae Ben Hayat Al
Kindi, one of the Arab scientists and Yazid Ben Sallam from Al Qods.
In the construction of this dome a few philosophical considerations were made.
Such considerations reside in the establishment of the general geographical
situation of the city of Al Qods, and the particular geographical location in the
yard of Al Haram Ash Sharif (Al Aqsaa mosque). It also resides in the direct
location of the construction above the blessed dome, as were taken into
consideration the artistic and technical requirements in the choice of the
octagonal shape, and the central twin dome.
The Rock Dome
This used to be a current architectural style in Syria, especially the gates in the
four directions, and the islamic writings which made one contemplate divine
power and islamic wisdom, and the decorations of architectural and
constructional mosaic designs (arabesques) which inspire ideal spiritual purity.
This has left a big influence in the method of islamic arts as it is considered
among the oldest decorative styles by the use of geometrical proportions in
architectural planning and decoration. Such is the case in the internal ceiling.
When one moves into the building of the blessed Rock dome from the outside
hot air in the summer, one quickly feels the invigorating inside air, and the soft
light which soothes ones psyche and nerves, and which comes from outside light
in an indirect manner, and then one notices the ambient architectural neatness.
When one climbs over the outside roof, one sees Al Haram Ash Sharif below it
as a magnificient structure within which the honoured Rock occupies the focal
point.
The Rock Dome
Undoubtedly, this building constitutes the epitome of beauty, coordination,
harmony and architectural proportionality and neatness. This is what every
visiting Arab or foreign historian, archaeologist or architect witnesses and
expresses. In this context, Dr. Hartman stated that the Rock Dome is a model of
coordination and harmony. Professor Hyter Lewis stated that the Rock Dome is
the most beautiful building on earth, and that it is even the most beautiful
monument celebrated by history.
In conclusion, the construction of the Rock dome constitutes the real image of
the Arab Muslim personality in all its philosophical and artistic extents. When one
speaks of the islamic architecture, this is the best example to illustrate it as it is
full of artistic and architectural creativity.
El Dabka Dance
ARTS
Handcrafts
The Bedouins are a nomadic people
who, historically, have lived across
the Middle East and North Africa,
inhabiting arid areas and moving
their base with turning of the
seasons. Traditionally women’s
work, the Bedouin weaving was
developed in their unique culture,
creating household items suited for
the life in the desert. Sheep wool
from one’s own herd is spun into
thread, colored with natural dye and
woven into a fabric using a ground
loom. The particularly tight and
strong fabric is used for tents, rugs,
pillows, and other domestic items
ARTS
Palestinian ceramics are produced at traditional family
owned factories in Hebron and some other cities. They
include a wide range of colorful hand painted plates,
vases, hanging ornaments, tiles, cups, jars and
framed mirrors. They are known for the intricate detail
of their flower and arabesque patterns. In most
ceramic factories, you can have your name painted on
articles while you wait.
The city of Hebron is also known worldwide for its
famous glass blowers and designers. Glass factories,
where hand-blown glass products are made, have
been a feature of the city since the Middle Ages. Here
one may observe, from beginning to end, the
fascinating process of glass-blowing. This traditional
craft has been adapted for factory production
methods. The royal blue glass of Hebron is perhaps
the most recognizable in the Middle East, but glass
blowers also create items in many other beautiful
colors.
Graffiti
ARTS
Graffiti
ARTS
Graffiti
ARTS
Graffiti
ARTS
FOOD
Fatoush
A popular Palestinian salad prepared a lot during
the fasting month, Ramadan. It is a very fresh
spring salad that combines many nutritious
ingredients.
Chicken Fattah
Chicken Fattah…The word Fatteh generally refers
to any meal that contains pieces of fried or
roasted bread. Some examples are Hummus
Fatteh, Eggplant Fatteh, and chicken Fatteh.
Why do Arabs care about Palestinians?
Allah said in the Holy Qur’an
‫) سبحان الذى أسرى بعبده ليال من المسجد الحرام إلى‬
‫المسجد األقصى الذى باركنا حوله لنريه من آياتنا إنه هو‬
)‫السميع البصير‬
( Glory be to God The One , Who did take
His Servant ( Muhammad )on a night
Journey from the Sacred Mosque to Al
Aqsa Mosque, the precinct of which We
have Blessed that We might show him
some of Our signs. Indeed! God is The All
Hearing the All seeing)
Our religion obligates us to respect and protect the
freedom of all religious practices
‫( آمن الرسول بما أنزل إليه من ربه والمؤمنون كل آمن باهلل ومالئكته‬
‫وكتبه ورسله ال نفرق بين أحد من رسله وقالوا سمعنا وأطعنا غفرانك ربنا‬
285‫وإليك المصير)البقرة‬
( The Messenger (Muhammed) believes in what has been
sent down on him from his Lord, and (so do) the believers.
Each one believes in Allah, His Angels, His Books, and His
Messengers. (They say), “ We make no distinction between
any of His Messengers”-and they say, “We hear, and we
obey. (We seek) Your Forgiveness our Lord, and to You is
the return (of all)." (Al-Baqarah285)
Allah ordered His messenger in the Holy Qur’an to
Believe in all what Allah revealed By saying:
‫( قل آمنا باهلل وما أنزل علينا وما أنزل على إبراهيم‬
‫وإسماعيل و إسحق ويعقوب واألسباط وما أوتى‬
‫موسى وعيسى و النبيون من ربهم ال نفرق بين أحد منهم‬
)‫ونحن له مسلمون‬
( Say,(oh you Muhammad) " We believe in GOD and
in what has been revealed to us and what has been
revealed to Abraham, Ismail, Jacob, and the tribes.
And in what was given to Moses and Jesus and the
prophets from their LORD, we make no distinction
between any of them and to Him we submit (
Muslims)")
In El Ahram Newspaper December 2004 an article by
Osama Seraya:
Father Shenouda ( Pope of Alexandria and
the Patriarch of All Africa) insisted on
maintaining his decision on forbidding
Coptic's from performing pilgrimage to
Jerusalem and normalization with the
Israelis, as it would be a decision against
his conscious.
This land witnessed different
messengers, Abraham ,Jacob Jesus
, Muhammad, with the same
message to worship God Al Mighty
Pink Floyd to Israel :
Tear down the wall
Bethlehem 2/6/2009 Ma’an
A British rock legend and co-founder of Pink Floyd
said on Tuesday he would give a concert instantly if
Israel’s illegal West Bank wall is torn down .
Roger Waters made this pledge during a visit to Ayda
Refugee Camp in the West Bank city of Bethlehem.
The wall snakes around the camp, hemming it in with
concrete .
Albert Einstein,
was also a Jew of acute moral sensitivities. As such he
too ultimately distanced himself from both Zionism
and the Israeli state it created. In 1938 he observed, “I
would much rather see reasonable agreement with the
Arabs on the basis of living together in peace than the
creation of a Jewish state. My awareness of the
essential nature of Judaism resists the idea of a Jewish
state with borders, an army, and a measure of
temporal power, no matter how modest. I am afraid of
the inner damage Judaism will sustain–especially from
the development of a narrow nationalism within our
ranks....”
What we wish for?
For years
the world has been carrying the
burden of the Holocaust
It's time to take responsibility for
the Holocaust happening in
Palestine
What could you do?
Analysis and sympathy have no value if they do not
result in any action. There are enough action ideas below
that every single person on this list has the power to do
at least one, ideally many more.
1. Monitor and contact local media to inform others and counter
misinformation. Write letters to the editor (usually 100-150
words) or op-eds (usually 600-800 words) for local newspapers.
Also contact radio talk shows and television news departments,
especially in response to biased coverage. You can find all local
media at:
http://www.congress.org/congressorg/dbq/media/
The US Campaign to End the Occupation compiled a fact sheet
about US direct contributions to the war on Gaza, which you can
use for facts:
http://www.endtheoccupation.org/downloads/gaza_us_weapons
.pdf
2. Organize and join demonstrations in front of
Israeli embassies or (if that's not doable) in
front of the offices of elected officials or other
visible place. Inform the media beforehand. Here
is a list of the many demonstrations happening
around the country (For example, St Louis, where
I live, usually has one a month, but this month
there are demonstrations every day):
http://www.endtheoccupation.org/article.php?id
=1773
3. Join local activist groups organizing local actions. If there aren't
any, start your own. Now is an excellent time to rally support.
4. Initiate boycotts, divestments and sanctions to nonviolently
pressure Israeli compliance with international law, as was
effective in the struggle against Apartheid in South Africa. Now is
an excellent time to rally support and begin a campaign. More
info and resources at http://www.bdsmovement.net/
5. Send direct aid to Gaza through one of the following
organizations:
- United Nations Relief and Works Agency:
www.un.org/unrwa/
- United Palestinian Appeal:www.helpupa.com
- Islamic Relief: www.irw.org
- Canadian Red Cross: www.redcross.ca
- American Near East Refugee Aid: www.anera.org
- Physicians for Human Rights: www.phr.org.il/phr
- Other groups: http://gazasiege.org/support_gaza.html
You can also support solidarity activists on the ground at
www.palsolidarity.org/main/
6. Contact elected and other political leaders in your country to
urge them to apply pressure to end the attacks. Find your
representatives and their contact info at
http://www.congress.org/congressorg/officials/congress
7. Sign petitions for Gaza, for example:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/gaza_time_for_peace/98.php?cl_tf_sig
n=1
http://capwiz.com/arab/utr/2/?a=12364076&i=90758629&c
https://secure2.convio.net/pep/site/Advocacy?s_oo=d13BldH27y
pl2jxg-1cOFA..&id=233
8. Put a Palestinian flag at your window. Wear a
Palestinian head scarf (keffiya). Wear black arm
bands (this helps start conversations with
people).
9. Do a group fast for peace one day and hold it
in a public place.
10. Inform others in your community with flyers,
vigils, and conversations. At the very least,
forward this on.