Al Aqsa – The Forgotten Land

Logistics & Accessibility •  Group of 52 •  22 flew from Luton > Tel Aviv •  26 flew from Gatwick •  Only 2 days off work •  Direct, good 5 hour flight •  Groups converged shortly

after landing •  Bargain price <£500

Passport control can be quite long so be prepared with some snacks and reading material Common questions are about: - Family (parents/grandfathers name) - Contact email address - Where you’re staying - Whether you know anyone in Palestine - If you have dual nationality Be honest and polite. Staff retain your passport while questioning and once they complete their checks, they give you a 3 month visa card which you should staple into your passport. Keep your passport and visa with you at all time.

The real Al Aqsa

35 acres

Significance to all

Abrahamic faiths

Dawud (AS)

Muhammad (SAW)

Sulayman (AS)

Abu Hurayrah (ra) relates that the Prophet (saw) said,

"You should not undertake a special journey to visit any place other than the following three Masjids with the expectations of getting greater reward: Masjid ul Haraam this Masjid Masjid Al-Aqsa of Makkah (Ka'bah) of mine (Madinah) (Jerusalem) (Muslim, Bukhari, Abu Dawud)

… The ultimate getaway

c

Lodgings, Weather, Sights

Delicious food

Gift of Al Aqsa

Abu’l Darda’ (RA) relates that the Prophet (SAW) said, “The prayer prayed in the Sacred Mosque (Masjid al-Haram)is akin to 100,000 prayers, and the prayer in my mosque is akin to 1,000 prayers and the prayer in Jerusalem is akin to 500 prayers.” (Tabarani Mu`jam al-Kabir; al-Bazzar in his Musnad: hasan)

•  Kursi Sulayman •  Mihrab Zakariyya •  Mihrab Maryam •  Prison of Jinn •  Return of Isa(AS)

Al Aqsa vicinity

Guided tours

Fir’own… Romans… Umayyads Fatimids Crusaders, Ayyubids Mamluks

Rich history

Honour of Al Aqsa

Zaid ibn Thabit RA) reports that the Prophet (SAW) said, “I see the Angels of Allah spreading their wings over Al-Sham”.

Ibn Abbas (ra) added, “And the Prophets lived therein. There is not a single inch in Al-Quds (Jerusalem) where a Prophet has not prayed or an Angel not stood” (Tirmidhi, Ahmad)

Travel across the area

Most of the Palestinians live outside of Jerusalem are not permitted to visit

Al Aqsa despite living half an hour away. Some not seen the mosque since they were born!

Land of hope

Muawiyah Ibn Sufyan (ra) relates that the Prophet (SAW) said

"There is a group among my followers who will continue to be openly on the truth. No one who opposes them can harm them until the coming of the Hour". The Companions (ra) asked, "Where will they be"? The Messenger of Allah said, "They will be in and around Bayt Al-Maqdis (i.e. Jerusalem)”(Ahmad)

Visit the graves of those who passed away to understand their love of this blessed land

Maymunah Bint Sa'd (ra) relates that she asked the Prophet (SAW), "O Messenger of Allah, inform us about Bayt Al-Maqdis (Jerusalem)” He said, "Visit it for prayer " She further asked, "If one of us cannot visit it, what should we do"? He said, "If you cannot go for prayer then send some oil to be used for its lamps, will be as if he has prayed in it". (Ahmad, Ibn Majah, Abu Dawud, Tabarani)

Will we forget?

What now?

BOOK YOUR FLIGHT

- Groups going regularly - Growing in number

and age range

Jazakumullahu khayr