Thursday, March 27, 2008

The Dome of the Rock or The Temple Mount:

The Temple Mount is sacred to three of the world's major monotheistic religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. According to Jewish tradition, Abraham prepared to sacrifice his son Isaac upon a rock that protruded from the centre of the platform. Later, upon the same platform, Solomon erected his temple. For Christians, the Temple Mount was revered because of its place in the life and ministries of Jesus Christ. For Muslims, from the top of the rock, Mohammed began his ascent to Heaven. The octagonal, domed Dome of the Rock was constructed by Muslims in the 7th century.More important to the Muslims than the Dome of the Rock is Al Aqsa Mosque. Believing that this is the place referred to in the Koran as "al aqsa" (the furthermost), Muslims have sanctified this as the third most holy place in the Muslim world (after shrines in Mecca and Medina).

No doubt it is the most beautiful monument in the entire Jerusalem. However, it is also the most sensitive and unpredictable area in the whole Israel. Any major escalation of violence here would definitely be the third world war! I was lucky to visit the temple mount as permission for entering this site can at a sudden be banned and it happens very frequently.

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