Ain Silwan is one of the most famous springs of Jerusalem that is located about 300 meters away from the southern-eastern wall of al-Aqsa Mosque.
Many Islamic studies have talked about a special relation between Zamzam Well in al-Masjid al-Haram in Makkah and Ain Silwan.
Ain Silwan is of great importance to the Christians because Jesus Christ used its water to heal a blind man. Some narratives say that Virgin Mary used to wash her baby’s clothes in this spring.
According to the Arab biographer and geographer Yaqut al-Hamawi the Canaanites dug a tunnel starting at the spring and running into Jerusalem to secure water during the times of siege. Ain Silwan’s water was also used for treatment.
Ain Silwan’s history
Fakhri Abu Diab a researcher in the history of Jerusalem said that most historians mentioned that back in 5000 BC the Canaanites dug a 533-meter underground tunnel for the residents of Silwan town and the Old City to get water for house work and irrigation.
Abu Diab pointed out that Ain Silwan is one of the oldest palaces recorded as an Islamic Waqf (endowment). This happened during the reign of Caliph Uthman Ibn Affan.
In statements to the PIC Abu Diab said that Ain Silwan is one of the most precious archaeological treasures in Jerusalem warning that the Israeli authorities are attempting to alter its history by spreading false Jewish narratives.
The Palestinian researcher pointed out that Ain Silwan is a major reason for life in that area of Jerusalem affirming that the Israeli-controlled Jerusalem municipality is trying to exclusively benefit from the spring and deprive the Palestinians of its water.
He added that that Israeli municipality at the beginning was aiming to isolate the spring from Silwan town but because of its religious value to the Christian community it started to fabricate Talmudic stories claiming that Ain Silwan has old Jewish tunnels and paths.
Islamic endowment
Abu Diab said that Ain Silwan was announced an Islamic endowment by Caliph Uthman Ibn Affan to serve al-Aqsa Mosque and visitors of Jerusalem. It was also restored and expanded during the reign of the Muslim commander Salah al-Din al-Ayyubi.
Ain Silwan is currently administered by settler associations such as Elad and they decide when to close or open the spring and appoint Israeli guides for tourists to promote false Talmudic narratives about its history.
The Palestinian Christians believe that Ain Silwan is a living miracle according to Abu Diab. Bathing newly-born babies in this holy spring is a well-known ritual in Silwan town influenced by the story of Virgin Mary.
