Shalom #39

The Dome of the Rock.  This magnificent mosque was built on the site of the First and second Temples in 691 A.D. by the Omayad Khalif.  It is one of the wonders of the modern world with its golden capped Dome and is an outstanding landmark of Jerusalem.  Wall mosaics, beautiful carpets and stained glass windows inside the mosque and beautiful blue and gold tiles on the outside walls of the building.

For the 3 major monotheistic religions, the Temple Mount is the historical and spiritual focus of Jerusalem.  It is revered by Jews as the holiest place on earth.  The rock at the centre of the Temple Mount (now covered by the Dome of the Rock) is the place where Abraham prepared to sacrifice his son, Issac.  The Muslims believe this is the spot that Abraham was prepared to sacrifice his son, Ishmael.  Solomon built  the First Temple here which was destroyed by the Babylonians in 587BC, and later the Second Temple built by Herod was erected on the same spot.  It was destroyed by the Roman's in 

70 AD.  Christianity associates the Temple Mount with the preaching of Jesus, while for Moslems this is the accepted place from which Mohammed ascended to heaven.