Jerusalem Old City

Jerusalem is the most recognized city in Israel. It’s been over seventy years since international debate over its legitimacy had exploded around the foundation of this nation. The first of four wars this nation had gone through against neighboring countries broke out almost simultaneously with the declaration of independence. Israel has been trying to pay off the religious and ethnic dilemma it holds both regionally and domestically for thousands of years.

The long lines of King David’s sons had gathered under the flag of the “promised land” after World War II. But the land was full of mixed religions and languages. The city famous for being a sanctuary for three major religions started as a symbol of ironic disharmony over the Gods. The soil of this holly land has sucked too much blood and tears. The Old City of Jerusalem has four main districts: Muslim, Christian, Jewish, and Armenian quarters.

All quarters are very close to each other, but as you cross a street to get out of one quarter and get into another, a lot of things will change in seconds. Language, dress, race, food, music… Many elements of daily life are separated by what people believe in a higher being. There must be such small differences in profound faith in all Islam, Christianity, and Judaism, but the followers seem to be stubborn enough to draw fine and clear lines among themselves throughout their history.

Yet the city, as the capital of religions in this specific region, is full of prayers. All three sanctuaries welcome pilgrims from all over the world. They pray for peace and glory in different styles and tongues. One day, the prayers will unite, despite the past tragedies.

エルサレム旧市街

イスラエルのエルサレムの旧市街。400メートル四方の城壁に囲まれた16万平方メートルの中にイスラム教、キリスト教、ユダヤ教の聖地がひしめき合っている。

まさに通り一つを渡り、角を一つ曲がればそれぞれが違う言語、違う服装、そして全く異なる流儀でそれぞれの神々を讃えている。三つの宗教の神々が諭す真理は異口同音である筈なのに、この城壁とその周辺の大地は三つの神々の為の代理戦争と言ってよい争いの舞台となり、多くの血と涙を吸ってきた。

聖地であり世界中から巡礼者が集まる霊的な場所でありながら。