In 2018 the King of Morocco, Mohammed VI, funded the renovation of the mosque; Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth states that the local Jewish community and the Waqf "came to an agreement" that there would be no muezzin calling from the minaret.[2] Sheikh Mazen Ahram, a Jerusalem Imam, says that the mosque's muezzin loudspeakers were confiscated by Israeli authorities in 1993, who subsequently prevented any announcements from the minaret.[1] He also says that the land in front of the mosque, owned by the Islamic Waqf, was confiscated by Israel and converted into a car park,[1] and that due to its location near the Jewish Quarter, users of the mosque have faced racist insults and harassment.[1]
History
The mosque dates back to the Ayyubid era of Al-Mu'azzam Isa, and was later restored in the Mamluk era.[1] In 1487 it was endowed by Al-Kameli ibn Abu-Sharif,[3] and mention the mosque as "Masjid al-Omar".[4] It was subsequently named the Al Dissi Mosque after a member of the Jerusalemite Al Dissi family.[3]
1967-76 demolition works carried out by the “Jewish Quarter Development Company” adjacent to the site damaged the structure of the mosque; it was subsequently renovated by the Islamic Waqf.[3]
Description
The mosque has a minaret that is about 15 meters high, and has an area of 60 square meters.[4] The mosque prayer area is situated along a small corridor behind the low steel gate in the main entrance.[3]