Islamic era Ashkelon

muslim pilgrims shrine of seyid hussein, april 1943.

in 1187, saladin took ashkelon part of conquest of crusader states following battle of hattin. in 1191, during third crusade, saladin demolished city because of potential strategic importance christians, leader of crusade, king richard of england, constructed citadel upon ruins. ashkelon subsequently remained part of diminished territories of outremer throughout of 13th century , richard, earl of cornwall reconstructed , refortified citadel during 1240–41, part of crusader policy of improving defences of coastal sites. egyptians retook ashkelon in 1247 during as-salih ayyub s conflict crusader states , city returned muslim rule. mamluk dynasty came power in egypt in 1250 , ancient , medieval history of ashkelon brought end in 1270, when mamluk sultan baybars ordered citadel , harbour @ site destroyed. result of destruction, site abandoned inhabitants , fell disuse.

according shiite tradition, head of husayn ibn ali, grandson of mohammad, buried in ashkelon. in late 11th century moved new shrine named mashad nabi hussein (or sabni hussein) built purpose. in 1153, @ time of crusaders conquest of ashkelon, head moved fustat (egypt). shrine described magnificent building in ashkelon. in british mandate period large maqam on top of hill no tomb, fragment of pillar showing place head had been buried. in july 1950, shrine destroyed @ instructions of moshe dayan in accordance 1950s israeli policy of erasing muslim historical sites within israel.