Mosque

Mosque

A picture looking south at the Mihrab of the mosque that was built close to the South Church after the Muslim conquest of the Negev (ca. AD 639).  The Mihrab directs the Muslim faithful towards Mecca and Medina.

Earlier, the close proximity of the church and the mosque was taken as an example of the coexistence of the Christians and the Muslims living side by side.  But, more recent studies have indicated that Christian symbols have been placed on the floors and thresholds of buildings—indicating the desecration of them.  In addition, the number of dwellings in Shivta went from 200 to 20 after the Muslim conquest.

Haaretz "Historian Thought Early Christians, Muslims Coexisted Peacefully in Ancient Shivta, Archaeologists Show Otherwise." And Here.