OCCUPIED AL-QUDS (Dispatches) -- The Al-Aqsa Mosque in Al-Quds is one of the most significant religious sites in Islam. The mosque holds immense importance for Muslims as it is believed to be the location of the Prophet Muhammad’s journey to the heavens. The Dome of the Rock, located in the center of the al-Aqsa Mosque, is one of the earliest examples of Islamic architecture and art. The mosque, located in the Old City of Al-Quds, is the third holiest site in Islam after the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca and the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina. The mosque was constructed in 705 CE, five years after the completion of the Dome of the Rock. It has undergone numerous renovations and expansions over the years, with the latest renovation being completed in 2007.
The Dome of the Rock, also known as Qubbat as-Sakhra in Arabic is an annular building located in the center of Al-Aqsa Mosque. It was built between 65 H/684 CA and 72 H/691 CA. It is one of the earliest existing examples of Islamic architecture and art. The dome is 20.44 meters in diameter, set on a high drum pierced with sixteen windows and resting on four piers and twelve columns placed in a circle just large enough to surround the Rock.
The Dome of the Rock is located on an artificial platform in the center of the Al-Haram al-Sharif or the original Al-Aqsa Mosque. The circle of supports is placed in the center of a large octagon averaging about 20.59 meters. The rock, which the Dome of the Rock shelters, is the highest point in the Al-Haram or the Al-Aqsa Noble Sanctuary.
The rock located beneath the Dome of the Rock is significant in as much as it constitutes a part of the original Al-Aqsa Mosque or Noble Sanctuary. In no way can the rock be more important and as such more revered than the other parts of Al-Aqsa Mosque. The Holy Qur’an and the Prophet have said about Al-Aqsa Mosque applied as much to the rock as to the rest of the sections of the mosque.
Al-Aqsa Mosque is the second mosque on earth established forty years after the construction of the Ka’bah or the Al-Masjid al-Haram. It was the first qiblah to which Muslims turned in prayer for about one year and a few months following the migration (Hijrah) to Medina. Al-Aqsa Mosque was a place where the Prophet (was taken “for a Journey by night from the Sacred Mosque (Al-Masjid al-Haram) to the Farthest (Al-Aqsa) Mosque whose precincts We did bless, – in order that We might show him some of Our signs…” (Qur’an al-Isra’ 17:1), and thence, the Prophet ascended to the sky for his Al-Mi’raj Journey.
The city is considered to be a holy site for Muslims, Christians, and Jews, as it is home to many religious landmarks and significant historical events. The Dome of the Rock is an architectural masterpiece that was built in the 7th century CE during the Umayyad Caliphate. The monument is a unique example of Islamic art and architecture and is regarded as one of the earliest and most significant achievements of Islamic civilization.
The city of Al-Quds is not only significant in religious and historical contexts, but also in terms of its geography. Located in the center of the world’s three major monotheistic religions, Al-Quds is considered to be a significant city in the Abrahamic faiths. Al-Aqsa Mosque, situated within Al-Quds, is also of immense geographical significance.
Al-Quds has been the focus of political and religious strife throughout history due to its strategic location between Africa, Asia, and Europe. The city has been fought over by various empires, including the Persians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Muslims, Crusaders, Ottomans, and British, to name a few. This has resulted in the city being culturally diverse, with various religious and ethnic groups coexisting within the city’s walls.
Al-Aqsa Mosque, as one of the most significant religious sites in the world, draws visitors from all over the globe. Its importance is amplified by the fact that it is adjacent to the Western Wall, a significant site in Judaism, and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, a significant site in Christianity.
Furthermore, Al-Aqsa Mosque is situated on the Temple Mount, a site that is considered holy by both Jews and Muslims. The Temple Mount is believed to be the site of the First and Second Temples, which were destroyed by the Babylonians and Romans, respectively. The site is also believed to be the location of the Foundation Stone, where Abraham is said to have attempted to sacrifice his son Isaac, and where Prophet Muhammad is believed to have ascended to heaven during his Night Journey.
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has a long and complicated history, and one of the ongoing flashpoints in this conflict is the status of Al-Quds, specifically the Al Aqsa Mosque compound. This compound is one of the holiest sites in Islam, and it is located in East Al-Quds, which is internationally recognized as Palestinian territory.
During the holy month of Ramadan, many Muslims travel to Al-Quds to pray at Al Aqsa Mosque, but in recent years, tensions have risen as Israeli police have used excessive force to disperse worshipers. There have been multiple instances of clashes between Palestinian worshippers and Israeli security forces during Ramadan, with many Palestinians feeling that their religious freedom is being violated.
The issue of Al Aqsa Mosque is just one of many in the larger Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which remains unresolved. The conflict is characterized by deep-rooted historical, political, and religious differences.