Holy to both Muslims and Jews, the Temple Mount (or Haram ash-Sharif
in Arabic) is the most remarkable well-known symbol of Jerusalem,
and the most controversial either. For Jews it is the ancient Mount
Moriah, where Abraham almost sacrificed his son Isaac, and where the
First and Second Temples were built. For Muslims it is their third
holiest shrine, as said to be the site from where Muhammad have ascended
to heaven on his Night Journey.
Visible from almost anywhere around the Old City, the Temple Mount
is a wide area with the Dome of the Rock in its center and the El-Aqsa
Mosque at its southern edge.
The
Dome of the Rock
The
Dome of the Rock:
Glowing with its magnificent golden dome, and holding the sacred rock
upon Isaac was almost sacrificed and from which Muhammad rose to heaven,
the Dome of the Rock was built by Caliph Abd el-Malik in 691 AD, as
part of the Muslims attempt to demonstrate their ascendance over Christianity.
Traditionally known as the center of the world, the sacred rock inside
shows the legendary mark of Muhammad's footprint.
El-Aqsa
Mosque
El-Aqsa
Mosque:
Built by the son of Abd el-Malik, Caliph Walid, in the early 8th century,
the El-Aqsa Mosque, with its silver-black dome, is far less glorious
than the Dome of the Rock, but it serves as the actual place of worship
for Muslim pilgrimages coming to the Temple Mount. Its name means
"the farthest", referring to the farthest point that was reached by
Muhammad on his Night Journey.
Information:
Entering the Temple Mount is through a gate called Mughrabi Gate,
reached from the Western Wall area. Visitors should remember to be
appropriately dressed (i.e. with no bare body parts), and to be prepared
to sometimes a long queue at the security checking point.
Visiting hours are Saturday to Thursday from 7:30am to 11:00am, and
from 1:30pm to 2:30pm. The site is closed on Friday. (Notice that
these times can be changed as they are based on Muslim prayer times).
Detailed map of Jerusalem
