Jerusalem is rightfully called the city of three religions. Entering the old city through the Jaffa Gate, at the intersection with Cardo Street, you can literally choose the direction of travel according to your religion.
Instructions
Step 1
Walking around Jerusalem is a real acquaintance with the history of the three oldest religions in the world. Entering the Old City and turning to the right, you will find yourself in the Jewish Quarter, the Christian Quarter will be left behind, and the Muslim Quarter in front.
Step 2
The main shrine for Muslims in Jerusalem is the Al Aqsa Mosque, which has been standing on the Temple Mount since ancient times. As the Qur'an says, it was on the Temple Mount that Muhammad saw a staircase. One end of it stood on the Stone of the Universe, and the other rose to heaven. Angel Jibrail helped the prophet climb this ladder and meet with Allah and his prophets. Jibrail prevented the raising of the Stone of the Universe to heaven after Muhammad, stopping him with his hand. Since then, Muslims around the world consider the mark on the stone to be the handprint of Jibrail.
Step 3
There are two more Muslim shrines in Jerusalem. For example, the Golden Dome mosque, which has several more names: the Skala Mosque or the Omar Mosque. In fact, this building is not a mosque, that is, namaz (prayer) cannot be performed there. This is a memorial structure built by order of the Caliph Abd el Malik. In this building, crowned with golden domes, the Stone of the Universe is kept - a piece of rock that covers the “cave of the abyss”. There is a crack at the top of the rock, through which, according to legend, the blood of the sacrificed animals flowed down.
Step 4
Muslims have a special attitude towards the carved wardrobe located in the exhibition gallery. It is in it that the hair from the prophet's beard is kept. The study showed that the mosque was built in 72 AH.
Step 5
The second great shrine of Muslims is the Al-Aqsa Mosque, located in the south of the Temple Mount. Despite the fact that the mosque was built in the 8th century, it acquired its final, now well-known appearance in the 11th century, as it was destroyed by a strong earthquake. This mosque saw, perhaps, the maximum number of tragic events. After a destructive campaign, the Crusaders turned it into their palace, but were later expelled from its territory. In 1951, on the steps of the mosque, the king of Jordan was shot in the chest, and his successor, grandson, miraculously survived, thanks to a medallion that was hit by a bullet. Even later, in 1969, a tourist from Australia set fire to a mosque.
Step 6
Interestingly, despite the fact that Muhammad himself dictated the construction of the mosque so that during prayer the believers would face Jerusalem, the Emperor Justinian ordered that the worshipers should face Mecca.
Step 7
Now the Al-Aqsa mosque, even despite its greatness and large area (90 by 60 m), cannot accommodate everyone who wants to offer prayer to Allah, especially on holidays.
