While Muslims across sectarian lines share a reverence for many holy sites, some sites hold special significance for certain groups. For instance, the Dome of the Rock (located in Jerusalem) is recognized and revered by all Muslims, as it was built in 692 A.D. by the Umayyid caliph ‘Abd al-Malik on the site where Muslims believe the Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven in his mi‘raj (night journey). Indeed, it is considered the third holiest site in Islam after Mecca and al-Madina. At the same time, the Dome of the Rock is a powerful symbol of Palestinian nationhood.
The figure in the image, identified in the caption as “al-shahid al-batal ‘isam ghaban abu ‘allam” (“the martyr and hero ‘Isam Ghaban aka Abu ‘Allam”), was killed along with his son ‘Allam in an incident of factional violence between Hamas and Fatah in the neighborhood of Shaykh Radwan in Gaza City in December 2002. He was a member of Fatah and a police officer for the Palestinian Authority. The incident led to mutual accusations and infighting between the two groups.
The mosque in front of Ghaban is the al-Aqsa mosque, also a powerful symbol of Palestinian nationalism.
Group Name
Fatah (Harakat Tahrir Filastin aka Harakat al-Tahrir al-Watani al-Filastini) - Kata'ib shuahada' al-aqsa aka al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade (AMB)
Group Type
nationalist
Group Affiliation
Political / Missionary / Charity / Cyber-Media organizations (not overtly involved in the initiation of real world attacks)
Dominant Colors
Black, Gold
Secondary Colors
White, Blue
Visual or Textual Reference to Significant Recent Events
Date EntryAnalysis Entry
Visual reference to the death of Fatah police officer `isam ghaban abu `allam and his son in heavy clashes between Fatah and Hamas in Dec. 2002
Isolated Phrases / Mottoes / Slogans
1) al-shahid al-batal `isam ghaban abu `allam
Image Number
0191
Groups Region of Operation
Middle East
Groups Country of Operation
Israel/Palestine
Weapons
Firearms, Automatic / Assault Rifle, AK47, Explosives, Grenade
Weapon Analysis
AK47 RAS
Body Parts
Face / Bust
Air
Sky
People
Operative / Warrior (=mujahid), Man / Men
People Analysis
Fatah PA police officer `Isam Ghaban Abu `Allam
Religious Symbols
Holy Site
Religious Symbols Analysis
Dome of the Rock and al-Aqsa mosque
Topography
Man-made Structure / Landmark
Topography Analysis
Domed mosque and holy site
