When a tragedy occurs, it tends to swallow up a news cycle.
The fire at the Notre Dame Cathedral in France shocked the world on April 15th. The destruction of the beloved landmark continues to capture our sympathy; however, it’s also clouded our vision to other tragedies happening across the globe.
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While Notre Dame burned, Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque also caught on fire.
It is located in Jerusalem’s old town, on top of the Temple Mount, known as Haram esh-Sharif in Islam.
It as known as the third most sacred site in the world for Muslims.
A video shows smoke billowing into the streets of Old Jerusalem
Other videos show people crying out in surprise as the flames climbed higher.
The initial report said that an electrical fault started the fire.
The fire was contained to Marwani Prayer Hall, also known as Solomon’s Stable.
The historic room is thought to have been built by King Herod, the king of Judea at the time of Jesus’ birth.
Thankfully, the fire did not spread.
Only partial damage was done to the structure itself.
Everyone within the mosque made it out of the building without injury.
The Palestine News Agency reported: “The fire broke out in the guard’s room outside the roof of the Marwani Prayer Room and the fire brigade of the Islamic Waqf handled the matter successfully.”
Despite the fire having taken place under the radar, messages of sympathy and support have begun to pour in.
“Awful to hear that the Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem was also on fire yesterday,” Vonny LeClerc writes, “I hope they are able to restore it. Well done those who worked to save such an important and holy site.”
The Al-Aqsa Mosque fire went practically unnoticed on the day it occurred.
This is likely because of the Notre Dame Cathedral Fire , which occurred on the same night.
Celebrities and Millionaires across the globe have already raised hundreds of millions of dollars in order to restore Notre Dame.
Even the White House released a statement of support.
It’s odd that no one has pledged monetary support for the Al-Aqsa Mosque as of yet.
We shouldn’t be picking and choosing which tragedies deserve our help and which don’t.
Yes, the Notre Dame Cathedral fire was a terrible loss for history.
However, I don’t see millionaires stepping up to help Puerto Rico or Flint, Michigan in the same way.
If there’s all this disaster relief money floating around, why is it only being used to for building restoration, rather than it also helping the rehabilitation of real people?
It’s time to ask ourselves why we don’t see certain tragedies in the same way we do others.
I’m not here to point any fingers.
Some disasters are more personal—some hit closer to home.
But one percentage of experience shouldn’t represent all experience. If we mourn for France, we should also be mourning for Jerusalem.
