Maqam Shamoun Al Safa
| Maqam Shamoun Al Safa | |
|---|---|
مقام شمعون الصفا | |
2018 aerial view of the shrine | |
Shown within Tyre, Lebanon | |
| General information | |
| Type | shrine, mosque, mausoleum |
| Architectural style | Fatimid architecture |
| Location | Shamaa, Lebanon |
| Coordinates | 33°08′44″N 35°12′30″E / 33.145592°N 35.208347°E |
The Maqam Shamoun Al Safa (Arabic: مقام شمعون الصفا) is a Shi'ite Islamic shrine and mosque located in the Shamaa village, in Tyre District of the South Governorate, Lebanon. It contains a mausoleum believed to be that of Saint Peter, known in Muslim exegetical traditions as Sham'un as-Safa (Simon Cephas). The shrine was built or renovated by the Fatimids in 1097.[1][2]
On 15 November 2024, the shrine was heavily damaged during the 2024 Israeli invasion of Lebanon.
History
Burial of Simon Peter
Local tradition among Shiites holds that Simon Peter was buried in an area proximate to modern-day Tyre.[3][4] This contrasts with mainstream Christian belief that Simon Peter was buried in the mausoleum underneath the St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. Modern signage outside of the shrine and surrounding areas claims that the grave within the shrine dates to the 1st century CE.
History of the shrine
Archaeological excavations indicate that some of the building material used in the shrine dated back to the 1st century CE, and one of the rooms may have been a Christian chapel.[5]
The current shrine was built by the Fatimids emirs of Lebanon in 1097, based on an inscription inside of the shrine.[2][1][6] The inscription at the minaret reads:
This blessed place was overseen .... in the year 490 (1097 CE)
The shrine was partially damaged by the Crusaders in 1124 after the fall of Tyre during the First Crusade, but was subsequently restored during the Mamluk period.[2][1][6] Within the shrine's vicinity, an adjacent prayer room was built by Sheikh Hussein Khatoun, recorded in an inscription in the year 1100 AH (1688 CE).[2][1][6] The shrine was also visited by Shia scholar and faqīh Yusuf al-Bahrani some time after 1750.[2][1]
The shrine was damaged in 2006 Lebanon War but was fully restored after the end of the war.[2][1][6][7] In 2019, it was reported that the site was a major religious destination in Lebanon for Shiite pilgrims.[3]
The shrine was heavily damaged by shelling on 15 November 2024 by the IDF during the 2024 Israeli invasion of Lebanon.[7][8][9] Videos of the shrine circulated online after 26 November ceasefire, showing the large amount of damage taken to the shrine and the grave appearing to have been looted.[5][10][11] A 71-year-old Israeli researcher was reportedly killed during an unauthorized archaeological examination at the shrine.[12][13]
Gallery
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Signboard near the shrine
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Domes and minaret
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Cemetery in courtyard, the tombstones mostly read "Safi ad-Din"
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Aerial view of shrine
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Evening view of domes and minaret from front
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e f "موقع ممهدات | مقام النبي شمعون الصفا(ع) في بلدة شمع الجنوبية(2)". momahidat.org. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f "موقع السرائر للشيخ حسين كوراني:تحقيق". saraer.org. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
- ^ a b "Religious site in Lebanon attracts Shia Muslims +Photo – International Shia News Agency". 3 May 2019. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
- ^ "بعد مقتل المؤرّخ الإسرائيلي.. إليكم أهمية مقام النبي شمعون الصفا". www.lebanos.org (in Arabic). Retrieved 26 December 2024.
- ^ a b AsiaNews.it. "The maqam of 'Simon Peter' and sites placed at risk by the war between Israel and Hezbollah". www.asianews.it. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
- ^ a b c d "مجلة بقية الله :مشاهد النور: مقام شمعون الصفا (ع) جَدّ المهدي (عج)". baqiatollah.net (in Arabic). Retrieved 26 December 2024.
- ^ a b "مقام النبي شمعون صفا - مار بطرس - في بلدة شمع تفجره اسرائيل للمرة الثالثة". Elnashra News (in Arabic). Retrieved 26 December 2024.
- ^ Mroue, Bassem (16 November 2024). "Israeli troops reach deepest point in Lebanon, retreat after clashes with Hezbollah". The Associated Press | The National Desk. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
- ^ حسن, محمد علي (16 November 2024). "جيش الاحتلال الإسرائيلي يفجر مقام النبي شمعون الصفا جنوب لبنان.. من هو؟ (فيديو)". الوطن (in Arabic). Retrieved 26 December 2024.
- ^ جمعة, فاديا (30 November 2024). "شمع ومقام شمعون الصفا أسرى الاحتلال والتدمير | مناطق نت". manateq.net (in Arabic). Retrieved 26 December 2024.
- ^ "جريدة المدن | قلعة شمع: إسرائيل فجّرت بطرس الرسول وأمّ الإمام المهدي (لبنان)". موقع نبض. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
- ^ Fabian, Emmanuel (20 November 2024). "71-year-old civilian killed alongside soldier in Lebanon; IDF probes breach of procedures". The Times of Israel.
- ^ Fabian, Emmanuel. "Officer asks to quit over incident in which researcher, soldier were killed in Lebanon". The Times of Israel. ISSN 0040-7909. Retrieved 26 December 2024.