Location: 10 km (6 mi) South of Jericho Map
Nabi Musa (Arabic: النبي موسى, transliterated as Nebi Musa, meaning "Prophet Moses") is a significant Muslim holy site located in the Judean Desert, approximately 11 kilometers south of Jericho and 20 kilometers east of Jerusalem, along the historic Jerusalem-Jericho road in Palestine. Revered in Islamic tradition as the burial place of Prophet Moses (Musa in Islam), the site is centered around a mosque complex that houses the alleged tomb, though this contradicts biblical accounts that place Moses’ death and burial on Mount Nebo in modern-day Jordan. Nabi Musa has served as a major pilgrimage destination, a cultural and religious hub, and, in recent times, a rehabilitation center, while also being a focal point in historical and political events.
The origins of Nabi Musa as a holy site are not precisely dated, but
its prominence began in the 13th century. The Jerusalem-Jericho road,
where the site is located, was a key route for Muslim pilgrims traveling
to Mecca, marking Nabi Musa as a natural resting point at the end of the
first day’s march. Originally, it served as a vantage point where
pilgrims could view Mount Nebo across the Jordan Valley, believed by
Jewish and Christian traditions to be Moses’ burial place (Deuteronomy
34:4-6). Over time, a local Muslim tradition emerged, associating the
site itself with Moses’ tomb.
The site’s transformation into a
significant shrine is attributed to the Mamluk Sultan Baybars, who, in
1269 CE, ordered the construction of a mosque and maqam (shrine)
following his hajj pilgrimage. This may have been motivated by
spiritual, political, or military considerations, such as securing the
road to Jerusalem or formalizing an existing veneration of the site due
to ancient tombs in the area, some dating to the Chalcolithic period.
The choice of location, west of the Jordan River, contrasts with
biblical narratives, possibly reflecting a strategic decision to
establish a Muslim holy site in a contested region.
Over the
centuries, the complex was expanded and restored. Notable developments
include:
Ottoman Era (15th–19th centuries): The Ottomans repaired and
expanded the site, establishing a hospice for pilgrims by the late 15th
century. The mosque complex was rebuilt during the reign of Mahmud II,
achieving its current form.
19th Century: The site became the focal
point of a major annual pilgrimage festival, coinciding with Christian
Easter celebrations, possibly as a counterbalance to the influx of
Christian pilgrims in Jerusalem.
Modern Period: After the 1948
Jordanian control of the West Bank, the Nabi Musa festival was
suppressed due to its political potential. Following the 1967 Six-Day
War, the site came under Israeli control, and in 1995, it was handed to
the Palestinian Authority under the Oslo Accords. In 2019, the European
Union funded a conservation project to preserve the site.
The Nabi Musa complex is a large, fortified structure covering
approximately 5,000 square meters, enclosed by a limestone wall. Its
near-square layout includes:
Dimensions: The north wall is about
74 meters, the west 70 meters, the east 68 meters, and the south 55
meters.
Structure: The complex spans three levels (basement, ground,
and first floors) and contains 120 rooms, used historically to house
pilgrims. It features multiple white domes, a minaret, and a central
courtyard.
Maqam of Moses: The core of the complex is the shrine,
topped by a dome, believed to contain Moses’ tomb. An Arabic inscription
at the entrance dates the original construction to 1269–1270 CE.
Courtyard: The courtyard is divided, with the western wing designated
for men and the eastern for women.
Additional Features: A large
cemetery surrounds the complex, and 1.5 miles south lies a smaller domed
structure, identified as the tomb of Moses’ shepherd, Hasan er-Rai, also
surrounded by a Muslim and Bedouin cemetery.
The architecture
reflects Mamluk and Ottoman influences, with its robust walls and domes
characteristic of Islamic religious complexes designed to accommodate
large gatherings. The site’s remote location in the Judean Desert, near
the red hill of Nabi Musa, enhances its serene and contemplative
atmosphere.
Nabi Musa holds profound religious importance for Muslims, as
Moses is a revered prophet in Islam, mentioned extensively in the
Quran. The site’s association with his tomb, though not universally
accepted, has made it a focal point for ziyarat (pious visits) and
the annual Nabi Musa festival. Key aspects include:
Pilgrimage Festival: The seven-day festival, held annually on the
Friday before Good Friday (per the Greek Orthodox calendar), was a
cornerstone of Palestinian Muslim identity. Thousands of pilgrims
from Jerusalem, Nablus, Hebron, and beyond would gather in
Jerusalem, process to Nabi Musa under a distinctive banner, and
spend days in prayer, feasting, and communal activities. The
festival included visits to Hasan er-Rai’s tomb, circumcision
ceremonies for young boys, and sacrificial rituals where sheep’s
blood was smeared on the maqam’s threshold.
Political Symbolism:
By the 19th century, the festival was seen as a counterbalance to
Christian pilgrimages to Jerusalem, reflecting interfaith dynamics.
It was described as “the most important Muslim pilgrimage in
Palestine” in 1920, with up to 15,000 attendees. The Husayni and
Yunis families, prominent Jerusalem notables, played key roles in
organizing and funding the event, reinforcing their social and
religious influence.
Sufi Influence: The site’s modern use as a
drug rehabilitation center, led by Sufi mystics, underscores its
continued spiritual relevance. The therapeutic community integrates
Islamic teachings, rituals, and Arab cultural practices to support
recovery.
The 1920 Nabi Musa Riots
The Nabi Musa festival
was not only a religious event but also a stage for political
expression. In April 1920, during the festival, tensions over
Zionist immigration and Arab-Jewish relations erupted into the Nebi
Musa riots in Jerusalem’s Old City. Speeches by Arab leaders,
including Hajj Amin al-Husayni, contained anti-Zionist rhetoric,
inciting violence. The riots, lasting from April 4 to 7, resulted in
five Jews and four Arabs killed, with hundreds injured, mostly Jews.
The British administration’s withdrawal of troops exacerbated the
violence, leading to criticism and mistrust among Jews, Arabs, and
the British. Hajj Amin al-Husayni, identified as an instigator, fled
to Syria but was later appointed Grand Mufti of Jerusalem by the
British, a controversial decision aimed at stabilizing the region.
The riots catalyzed the formation of Jewish self-defense groups,
such as the Haganah, and marked a turning point in Arab-Jewish
relations.
Today, Nabi Musa remains a place of spiritual and cultural
significance, though its role has evolved:
Rehabilitation Center:
Since at least 2017, the site has operated as a therapeutic community
for male drug addicts, led by five Sufi mystics who are former addicts.
The program, lasting up to six months, integrates Islamic rituals, Arab
cultural values, and community support, offering a unique blend of
spiritual and psychological healing.
Tourism and Preservation: The
site attracts occasional tourists, drawn by its historical and scenic
value in the Judean Desert. Reviews describe it as serene, with a humble
mosque and a magnificent tomb, though some note it is more a memorial
than a confirmed burial site. The 2019 EU-funded conservation project
highlights efforts to maintain its structural integrity.
Controversies: In December 2020, a techno party at the mosque sparked
outrage among Palestinians, who viewed it as a desecration of the holy
site. Clashes ensued, and the incident, occurring in Area C under
Israeli security control, was handled by Israeli police and Palestinian
institutions.
The Muslim tradition of Moses’ burial at Nabi Musa conflicts with Jewish and Christian narratives, which place his death on Mount Nebo, with the exact location unknown (Deuteronomy 34:6). Some accounts suggest the Nabi Musa tradition may stem from a vision attributed to Saladin in the 12th century, though Baybars’ construction in 1269 formalized the site’s significance. The choice of location may also reflect earlier veneration of the area’s ancient tombs or a strategic effort to establish a Muslim pilgrimage site west of the Jordan River.
For visitors, Nabi Musa offers a blend of historical, spiritual, and natural appeal. The site’s remote desert setting, maintained by a small Bedouin family, provides a tranquil atmosphere for contemplation. The surrounding landscape, with views of the Jordan Valley and distant Mount Nebo, enhances its allure. The complex’s architecture, with its domes and minaret, reflects centuries of Islamic heritage. However, its off-the-beaten-path location means limited amenities, with only a few stalls for visitors. The nearby cemetery and Hasan er-Rai’s tomb add to the site’s historical depth.