Al-Zaydani Mosque also known as Al-Omari has been at risk of progressive collapse due to the Israeli Judaization policy.
Al-Zaydani Mosque is located in Tiberias city north of historical 1948 Palestine.
It is considered one of the most important historical and archaeological mosques in Palestine as it was built 279 years ago. It is the last remaining Arab and Islamic landmark in Tiberias.
It was first constructed in the 1740s by Zahir al-Omar al-Zaydani.
It consists of a prayer hall a portico and a minaret. It was built with alternating white and black stone typical of the architectural style of Zahir’s building works.
While there have been restorations since it was first constructed in the 1740s the mosque retains its original plan.
Speaking to the PIC reporter Birzeit University professor Jamal Amr stressed the historical importance of the Al-Zaydani mosque and its religious and civilizational symbolism that confirms the Palestinian and Islamic presence in Palestine hundreds of years before the establishment of the Israeli entity.
He pointed out that the mosque faces a real danger of collapse as Israeli authorities deliberately prevents its restoration.
Israeli municipal authorities have also used the mosque as a storehouse for building materials disregarding the municipal Palestinian demands for its restoration.
Al-Zaydani Mosque reflects the Israeli deliberate negligence policy and violations towards Islamic holy sites Amr added.
The university professor underlined that Israel has demolished several mosques in Palestinian cities and villages that were occupied in the 1948 war including the western part of Jerusalem.
A study published by a High Follow-up Committee within the Green Line revealed that the Israeli authorities have turned 18 mosques into Jewish synagogues.
The study also showed that 40 mosques were either destroyed closed or abandoned while 20 others were turned into barns bars and restaurants.
Amr said Israeli authorities have enacted legislation to confiscate the property of Palestinians who forcibly fled their homeland.
“The Knesset (Israel’s parliament) passed the law of absentees under which Israel confiscated buildings and property of Arab citizens (who were displaced at home or abroad)” he said.
“The same policy was applied by Israel to numerous mosques and prayer places” he added.
