Jerusalem is considered a holy city by the three major monotheistic religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. For each faith, it is the site of important historical religious events. The Temple Mount is one location of particular significance, as it holds importance for all three religions. It has been the site of Jewish temples, is where Muhammad ascended to heaven in Islamic belief, and is involved in the story of Jesus. The area demonstrates how the three faiths have both contributed to and interacted with one another in the city throughout history.

1. 126 127
Jerusalem has always been thought of as the city that borders the human world and
the heavenly world. Depending on which religious belief, it is where Abraham was
ordered to sacrifice his son, where Jesus was crucified and resurrected, and where
the prophet Muhammad ascended into paradise to receive the order of the five
daily prayers. What ties these three happenings together? A divine dialogue; these
occurrences were believed to be not without a Godly touch. The main figures from
the three monotheistic religions each had their own spiritual experience within the
holy land now called Jerusalem, giving hope to their followers that they too might
be able to undergo such a life-changing event.
By reflecting upon their religious role models, each pilgrim who steps foot into this
holy land immediately acts accordingly. Appropriate behavior is necessary when
you are in a land of religious historical meaning, to honor the significance of each
religion’s history, which ultimately intertwine.
To be able to walk in the streets where Abraham, Jesus, and Muhammad once
strolled, to touch the stones that they touched, would be like being one step closer
to Godliness for some. Therefore, many efforts have been taken to maintain the
purity and original state of these infrastructures. Even though sometimes conflict
between differences is inevitable, this holy land has been able to still stand strong
B Y A m i r a Waw o r u n t u
WANDERLUST WANDERLUST
amidst its religious rebels and political problems. The city has become a melting
pot with an everlastingly changing sacredness. No doubt the ancient temples
and monuments will forever stand tall and proud as a token of the past, but with
continuing interaction between the faiths, there will be a new wave of historical
memories to be made. However, what is considered sacred and historical will always
remain the heritage of Jerusalem; the focal point of this holy land. After all, we can
never exist without reflecting upon our past.
There is a certain religious site in Jerusalem, which not only offers a chance for
devout prayer sessions, but also a chance to reflect upon how three diverse faiths
each contributed to its existence. The Temple Mount is more famously known
nowadays as the most contested piece of real estate in the world. Judaism, Islam,
and Christianity each have marked their significance within this piece of land.
As mentioned before about the dynamics of faith, how it will always bring new
additions to old traditions, the Temple Mount is no exception to this flow of change.
For example, an extra platform was added above the general level of the top of the
Temple Mount, which is now known as the location of the Dome of Rock, built by
Caliph Abd al-Malik. The Temple Mount, which was once exclusively for Jewish
worship, now had an added purpose. Situated in the center of Temple Mount, the
Dome of Rock’s architecture and mozaics were patterned after Byzantine churches,
adding and combining to the art and functionality of the different faiths.
Judaism believes this area to be holy because it contains the Foundation Stone;
considered to be from where the world was created. Beside this stone is where
the Jewish believe it is most sacred to conduct prayer. Because of this, they say
the Temple Mount “Most Holy Place in Judaism”, being the location of many
important events, one of them being the building of Solomon’s Temple; a temple
built in dedication to Yahweh, the God of Israel. Another more known reason as to
why this area is sacred for the Jewish faith is because of the Western Wall. Located
at the foot of the west side of Temple Mount, it has been a pilgrimage site for
centuries. Since the Western Wall is closest to the Temple Mount, it is considered
most beneficial to pray there, facing the Holy of Holies.
For the Islamic faith, Muslims celebrate the holy month of Ramadhan by coming to
Haram al-Sharif (“the Noble Sanctuary”, the Muslim/Arabic name for the Temple
Mount). It is believed that in the early stages of Islam, the prophet Muhammad first
instructed his followers to face this mount during prayer (before the establishment
of the Ka’bah as the Qibla’ or direction of prayer). Another importance this
area holds is being the location of Masjid al-Aqsa (the Further Mosque), where
according to the Qur’an is the place of Muhammad’s ascending to heaven,
accompanied by the angel Gabriel.
Christianity also places much importance towards Temple Mount. It is believed that
Jesus was found inside the one of the temples, where he then confounded Jewish
theologians with his miraculous knowledge of the Torah (Hebrew scriptures which
contain the law of God that was revealed to Moses). Jesus also challenged those
who were corrupt and used the temple for commerce and extortion. Jerusalem
plays a major role in Jesus’ early years, not to mention that it was there that he was
tried, executed and then arose. During the Byzantine era, Christianity took over
Jerusalem, and Christian pilgrims came from all over to walk in Jesus’ footsteps
throughout the city.
Three different faiths with three different histories all gathered into one holy piece
of land in the Old City quarter of Jerusalem. With a strong religious heritage calling
out to each of them, it’s hard to imagine why these faiths wouldn’t want to claim
it as their own. However, should the confrontations continue, we risk a chance of
losing it all together; a place where the borders of the worldly and the divine were
believed to have miraculously been crossed. §
the dome of rock
Jerusalem; the holy land for the three monotheistic religions. Judaism, Christianity and Islam have
coincided with one another and each have their own contribution towards the city’s religious pluralism.
With many synagogues, churches and mosques within this sacred land, it’s no wonder that many pilgrims
from all over the world consider Jerusalem as a top destination for their spiritual journal.
H e a v e n a n d E a r t h
Bordering
al-aqsa mosque