Jerusalem is an ancient city located in the Middle East’s Canaan region, built on a plateau in the Yehuda Mountains between the Mediterranean Sea and the Dead Sea. Jerusalem is an important religious center for the world’s three major monotheistic religions, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. All of these religions evaluate the historical, religious and cultural significance of Jerusalem in different ways.
Jerusalem for Judaism; It was the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Israel and the Second Temple was built here. Therefore, for Jews, Jerusalem is a historically and religiously holy place. The Western Wall (Wailing Wall) of the Temple Mount is among the most important holy sites of Judaism.
Jerusalem for Christianity; Hz. It is where Jesus Christ witnessed his life, death, and resurrection. Christianity, Jerusalem, St. It sees it as an important religious center as the Church of the Holy Sepulcher where Jesus was crucified, resurrected and places where he preached.
Jerusalem for Islam; One of the prophets mentioned in the Qur’an, Hz. It is important for the Masjid al-Aqsa and its surroundings, built by the Prophet Solomon. According to Islamic belief, Masjid al-Aqsa is the second holiest place after the Kaaba. In addition, according to the Islamic belief, Hz. The Miraj event, the night when the Prophet Muhammad (saas) ascended from Masjid al-Aqsa to the sky at night, took place in Jerusalem.
For these reasons, Jerusalem is an important religious center for Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. However, the religious and political situation of Jerusalem has been the source of several conflicts over the years. The city was declared the capital city by Israel, but the United Nations did not recognize this decision. Likewise, Palestine, like Israel, has declared that its capital is Jerusalem. The Arabic name of the city is “al-Quds” while the Hebrew name is known as “Yerushalayim”.
Mount of Olives
The Mount of Olives is a mountain in Jerusalem that is considered sacred in terms of all three monotheistic religions. Located opposite Masjid Aksa, Mount Olives is one of the best places to see the panoramic view of the city. For all three monotheistic religions, Mount of Olives is considered the place where the Messiah will descend to earth. According to the Islamic belief, Hz. Jesus survived the execution attempt of the Roman soldiers and came to the Mount of Olives and ascended to the sky from there. The tombs of Rabiatül Adeviye and Salman-i Farisi are also considered a holy place for Islam, as they are located on Zeytindagi.
In Christianity and Judaism, the Mount of Olives is considered the place where the Messiah will descend to earth. According to the belief, the Messiah will descend to the Mount of Olives, pass through a bridge over the Kidron Valley, pass through the gate known as the “Golden Gate” on the walls of Jerusalem, and establish his throne on the uncertain stone in the Dome of the Rock and proclaim the kingdom of heaven.
Jewish Cemetery
The Jewish Cemetery in Jerusalem is one of the oldest and largest Jewish cemeteries in Jerusalem. The Jewish Cemetery, located at the foot of the Mount of Olives, is believed to be the first to welcome the people buried here when the Messiah comes. It is important in Judaism to bury the dead and protect the graves. For this reason, the cemetery is a sacred place for Jews. The cemetery has a history of nearly 3,000 years, and many Jewish leaders and scholars, as well as important Israeli leaders such as Theodor Herzl, the founder of the State of Israel, and David Ben-Gurion, Israel’s first Prime Minister, are buried here.
Those who want to have a Jewish tomb on Mount of Olives have to pay a large fortune. Jews believe that the Sirat Bridge, which will be built in the hereafter, will be built between the Mount of Olives and Masjid al-Aqsa. Jewish tombs are oriented towards Masjid al-Aqsa and are covered with marble. According to Jewish belief, it is forbidden to leave roses on the grave because it is considered a pagan belief. With the increase in false Messiah claims, Suleiman the Magnificent closed the Golden Gate on the walls of Jerusalem and built a Muslim cemetery in front of it. In this way, the claims of the Messiah were prevented.
Hz. Omer Mosque
When Jerusalem was conquered, Hz. When Omar asked for a place to pray, the notables of the city told him that he could pray in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. However, Omar refused this offer. He stated that if he prayed in the church, he did not want to touch the church of the Christians as the church could be turned into a mosque. Thereupon, Hz. Ömer prayed outside the church, close to the church. Today, St. The place where Umar prayed. There is the Omer Mosque. The person who built the mosque is Saladin Eyyubi and Hz. There is an edict written by Ömer to the people of Jerusalem.
Church of the Holy Sepulcher
Located within the old city walls of Jerusalem, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher is one of the holiest places in Christianity. Church, St. It is located on Golgotha Hill, which is considered the place where Jesus was crucified and killed. The reason why its name is “Church of the Holy Sepulcher” is because of Hz. It is believed that Jesus was buried here. The other name of the church is Resurrection Church. Because, according to Christian belief, Hz. Jesus was resurrected three days after he was buried here and ascended to heaven after living among his apostles for 40 days. Also, St. It is believed to be the place where Jesus will be resurrected. For this reason, the church is considered an important pilgrimage site for Christians.
The Church of the Holy Sepulcher was built in the 4th century by St. Helena, mother of the Roman Emperor Constantine, and is considered one of the holiest places in Christianity. The stone inside the church, Hz. It is considered to be the place where Jesus’ body was washed and then shrouded, and people pray by touching this stone or rubbing faces. For detailed article on the Church of the Holy Sepulcher CLICK HERE.
Masjid al-Aqsa
Masjid al-Aqsa is a building considered sacred in the Jewish and Christian faiths. It is located on the Hill of the Temples in the Old City, east of Jerusalem. For Muslims, this temple is important as the first qibla of Islam. In addition, the Dome of the Rock, which is right next to the Masjid al-Aqsa, is the place where Hz. It is considered to be the place where the Prophet Muhammad (saas) took place and ascended to the sky. Masjid al-Aqsa is located in three holy areas known as “Harem-i Sharif”. For detailed article on Masjid al-Aqsa CLICK HERE.
Dome of the Rock
Usually, photographs of the Dome of the Rock as Masjid al-Aqsa are shown. Kubbet-ül Sahra is one of the first domed works known in Islamic architecture and was built by the Umayyads. This building, which is also considered sacred for the Jews, was converted into a church after the Crusaders’ occupation and a cross was placed on its dome. However, after Salahaddin Ayyubi conquered Jerusalem again in 1187, these statements were dismantled and the structure was restored to its former state. Today, the Dome of the Rock is one of the most important and magnificent parts of Masjid al-Aqsa and has great touristic and religious significance for visitors.
Suspicious Stone
Muallak Stone or Hacer-i Muallak means “stone hanging in the air”. Our Prophet It is known as the stone on which the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) stepped on the Miraj event. It is located in the center of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, within the Dome of the Rock. Some call it the “Stone of Suspense”, while others call it the “Sacred Rock” or the “Rock of Beginning”. Also, a cave located under the rock is known as the “Cave of Souls”. For detailed article on Suspension Stone CLICK HERE.
Yad Vashem
Yad Vashem is known as Israel’s largest holocaust memorial and Holocaust Museum. Located at the foot of Herzl Hill, Yad Vashem is filled with interactive historical exhibits and chilling galleries. Photographs, films, documents, letters, works of art and personal items found in concentration camps and ghettos are also exhibited in the museum, which offers an unforgettable experience to its visitors. Yad Vashem offers its visitors a historical and painful journey with all these elements in its content.
Wailing Wall
The Wailing Wall is a place of great historical and religious importance for Jews. The wall to the west of the Temple Mount is the last remnant of this Second Temple-era temple, which is considered sacred to the Jewish people. It is also known as a place used by Jews for prayer and a place of refuge for shedding tears. The Arabic name of the wall is “Burak Wall” and according to the Islamic belief, our Prophet Hz. It is the place where the Prophet Muhammad (saas) mounted a mount named Burak in Miraj. The Wailing Wall is one of Jerusalem’s most popular tourist attractions and is visited by millions of tourists each year.
