**The Last Ottoman Guardian of Al-Aqsa Mosque**
Hasan Al-Ighdirli (aged 93) was the last guardian of Al-Aqsa Mosque from the Ottoman Caliphate, who faithfully carried out his duty of protecting this sacred mosque until his death in 1982 at the age of 93. He refused to obey orders to leave Jerusalem (Baitul Muqaddas) and return to his homeland, Turkey, declaring, “Because Quds (Jerusalem) is above any order.”
Decade after decade, when asked why he never returned, he firmly responded, “I feared that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) would be saddened if I abandoned protecting the first Qibla and the third holiest mosque.”
In 1972, a Turkish journalist, Ilhan Bardakji, had the fortune of meeting him at Al-Aqsa Mosque on a Friday. He published this story under the title, “I Met Him at Al-Aqsa Mosque.”
Bardakji recounted that he was wandering through Jerusalem and reached the mosque’s entrance. There, he saw an elderly man standing silently in the mosque’s second courtyard. People said of him, “He’s mad, he’s been here for years, doesn’t talk to anyone, just stares at the mosque.”
When the journalist greeted him in Turkish, the old man responded in a beautiful Anatolian accent, “Wa Alaikum Salaam, my son.” Surprised by the response, the journalist inquired about his identity.
The old man explained, “When the Ottoman Caliphate fell, we left a small group in Quds to prevent looting until the British forces arrived. I insisted on staying with this group and refused to return to Turkey.” He introduced himself as Aref Hasan, leader of the 11th Machine Gun Team, 20th Unit, 36th Brigade, 8th Group.
Aref Hasan said, “We stayed so our Palestinian brothers wouldn’t think the Ottomans had abandoned them. We didn’t want Al-Aqsa to weep after four centuries. We didn’t want the Prophet (peace be upon him) to be saddened.”
He continued, “The years passed quickly. My 53 companions passed away one by one. No enemy could defeat us; only death and fate took us.”
The journalist recounted that Aref Hasan made a final request: “My son, when you return to Anatolia, go to the village of Sancak Tokat. There, you’ll find my commander, Captain Mustafa, who assigned me to guard Al-Aqsa. Kiss his hand on my behalf and tell him, ‘Sir Captain, Aref Hasan, whom you sent to guard this mosque, is still steadfast in his duty. He has never abandoned his post and seeks your prayers.’”
Aref Hasan was a courageous, loyal, and honorable guardian who left his homeland and family to remain in the holy land. Finally, in 1982, he passed away—the last Ottoman guardian of Al-Aqsa.
**The Last Ottoman Guardian of Al-Aqsa Mosque**
Hasan Al-Ighdirli (aged 93) was the last guardian of Al-Aqsa Mosque from the Ottoman Caliphate, who faithfully carried out his duty of protecting this sacred mosque until his death in 1982 at the age of 93. He refused to obey orders to leave Jerusalem (Baitul Muqaddas) and return to his homeland, Turkey, declaring, “Because Quds (Jerusalem) is above any order.”
Decade after decade, when asked why he never returned, he firmly responded, “I feared that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) would be saddened if I abandoned protecting the first Qibla and the third holiest mosque.”
In 1972, a Turkish journalist, Ilhan Bardakji, had the fortune of meeting him at Al-Aqsa Mosque on a Friday. He published this story under the title, “I Met Him at Al-Aqsa Mosque.”
Bardakji recounted that he was wandering through Jerusalem and reached the mosque’s entrance. There, he saw an elderly man standing silently in the mosque’s second courtyard. People said of him, “He’s mad, he’s been here for years, doesn’t talk to anyone, just stares at the mosque.”
When the journalist greeted him in Turkish, the old man responded in a beautiful Anatolian accent, “Wa Alaikum Salaam, my son.” Surprised by the response, the journalist inquired about his identity.
The old man explained, “When the Ottoman Caliphate fell, we left a small group in Quds to prevent looting until the British forces arrived. I insisted on staying with this group and refused to return to Turkey.” He introduced himself as Aref Hasan, leader of the 11th Machine Gun Team, 20th Unit, 36th Brigade, 8th Group.
Aref Hasan said, “We stayed so our Palestinian brothers wouldn’t think the Ottomans had abandoned them. We didn’t want Al-Aqsa to weep after four centuries. We didn’t want the Prophet (peace be upon him) to be saddened.”
He continued, “The years passed quickly. My 53 companions passed away one by one. No enemy could defeat us; only death and fate took us.”
The journalist recounted that Aref Hasan made a final request: “My son, when you return to Anatolia, go to the village of Sancak Tokat. There, you’ll find my commander, Captain Mustafa, who assigned me to guard Al-Aqsa. Kiss his hand on my behalf and tell him, ‘Sir Captain, Aref Hasan, whom you sent to guard this mosque, is still steadfast in his duty. He has never abandoned his post and seeks your prayers.’”
Aref Hasan was a courageous, loyal, and honorable guardian who left his homeland and family to remain in the holy land. Finally, in 1982, he passed away—the last Ottoman guardian of Al-Aqsa.
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