Can Israelis visit Dome of the Rock?

The Dome of the Rock is an Islamic shrine located on the Temple Mount in the Old City of Jerusalem, a site also known to Muslims as the al-Haram al-Sharif or the Al-Aqsa Compound.

Is the Dome of the Rock open to non-Muslims?

Since 1967, non-Muslims have been permitted limited access; however non-Muslims are not permitted to pray on the Temple Mount, bring prayer books, or wear religious apparel. The Israeli police help enforce this.

Are Israelis allowed on the Temple Mount?

After Israel captured the site in 1967, the Chief Rabbinate of Israel announced that entering the Temple Mount was forbidden to Jews, in accordance with a halakhic prohibition against temei ha'met (Impurity by contacting the dead, cemeteries etc.).

Can anyone go in the Dome of the Rock?

Most tourists to Jerusalem want to visit the Dome of the Rock and Temple Mount. Sadly, while everybody can visit the Temple Mount complex, only Muslims can get inside the Dome of the Rock, or the Al Aqsa Mosque. As a non-Muslim, you can only visit the outside of these grandiose mosques and take pictures of them.

What religion does Dome of the Rock belong to?

Arabic QUBBAT AS-SAKHRAH, also erroneously referred to as the MOSQUE OF OMAR, this shrine in Jerusalem is the oldest extant Islamic monument. The rock over which the shrine was built is sacred to both Muslims and Jews.

Jerusalem, Israel: Temple Mount and The Dome of the Rock

What do Jews believe about the Dome of the Rock?

Located on the Temple Mount, where the Temple of Jerusalem had previously stood, the site has particular significance for Judaism. The Foundation Stone, on which Jews believe the world was created, is thought to be located within the compound and is usually identified with the rock beneath the dome.

Why is the Dome of Rock sacred to Muslims?

The Dome of the Rock (Qubbat al-Sakhra) is an octagonal structure on an elevated platform in the middle of the Temple Mount area in Jerusalem. It is revered by most Muslims as the spot from which the Prophet Muhammad ascended to Heaven. Since its construction, the Dome has been for Muslims more than a mere structure.

Can non-Muslims visit the Temple Mount?

1 | The Entrance to Temple Mount

Temple Mount can be accessed by 11 gates in the Old City of Jerusalem but tourists and non-Muslims are only allowed to enter through the Moroccan Gate which is also known as Mugrabi Gate.

Is it safe to visit Al-Aqsa Mosque?

Again it was completely safe! Al Masjid Al Aqsa, the blessed land, holds so much history which makes the land even more profound. The incredible and immaculate architecture of the Dome of the Rock is truly amazing, the view just takes your breath away! A place to visit and don't let the media tell you otherwise.

Why is Jerusalem important to Muslims?

For Muslims, Jerusalem is a site of key events in the life of Jesus and other important figures. It's also the spot where, according to traditional interpretations of the Koran and other texts, the prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven.

Who owns Al-Aqsa Mosque?

Ownership of the al-Aqsa Mosque is a contentious issue in the Israel-Palestinian conflict. Israel claims sovereignty over the mosque along with all of the Temple Mount (Noble Sanctuary), but Palestinians hold the custodianship of the site through the Islamic waqf.

What is the difference between Masjid Al Aqsa and Dome of the Rock?

The Dome of the Rock is the place where Muhammad is said to have ascended into heaven. Al Aqsa mosque is a couple of hundred yards from the Dome of the Rock. Both are situated in a leafy site atop the Temple Mount.

Does the Temple in Jerusalem still exist?

The Temple was destroyed in 586 BC by Nebuchadnezzar, the King of Babylon, when he conquered Jerusalem. There are scant remains of the temple on the south hill of the City of David. Evidence of the conquering and destruction of the city can be found in the Burnt House and the House of the Bullae.

Should Muslims visit Al-Aqsa?

As a Muslim you can visit the Dome of the Rock and Al Aqsa mosque any time you please. There are no specific visiting hours. It is not necessary to arrange this with a tour company AND doing so would make you look like a tourist and/or non-Muslim.

What country was Jerusalem in before Israel?

After World War I, Great Britain took over Jerusalem, which was part of Palestine at the time. The British controlled the city and surrounding region until Israel became an independent state in 1948.

What does the Quran say about Masjid Al-Aqsa?

In Surah 2, verses 149-150, the Quran says, “turn thy face toward the Sacred Mosque [the Kaaba in Mecca]… wheresoever you may be, turn your faces toward it.” Nonetheless, Jerusalem and its sacred locales – specifically Al-Aqsa and the Dome of the Rock – have remained sites of Islamic pilgrimage for 15 centuries.

Can you visit Al Haram?

Muslims can access the Haram esh-Sharif through multiple gates located throughout the Old City, including the Lion's Gate. Non-Muslim visitors can only enter the complex through the Mughrabi Gate (also known as Bab al-Magharibeh) via a wooden walkway situated near the entrance to the Western Wall plaza's Dung Gate.

Who is currently in control of the Temple Mount?

Since the Crusades, the Muslim community of Jerusalem has managed the site through the Jerusalem Islamic Waqf. The Temple Mount, along with the whole of East Jerusalem (which includes the Old City), was controlled by Jordan from 1948 until 1967, and has been occupied by Israel since the Six-Day War of 1967.

What is under the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem?

The Well of Souls is located under the Foundation Stone, an exposed bedrock which lies directly under the Dome of the Rock. The Dome of the Rock stands on the location of the destroyed Second Jewish Temple (built around 516 BCE to replace Solomon's Temple), which was destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE.

Who built Al-Aqsa?

Al Masjid Al-Aqsa was founded forty (days or months or years) next to the Ka`bah. Historians believe that Prophet Ibrahim, peace and blessings be upon him, was the one who built or ordered Al-Aqsa to be built. It was demolished during the conquests of Jerusalem.

Why is the Dome of the Rock important to Judaism Christianity and Islam?

At the center of the Dome of the Rock sits a large rock, which is believed to be the location where Abraham was prepared to sacrifice his son Ismail (Isaac in the Judeo/Christian tradition). Today, Muslims believe that the Rock commemorates the night journey of Muhammad.

Where is the Ark of the Covenant?

Whether it was destroyed, captured, or hidden–nobody knows. One of the most famous claims about the Ark's whereabouts is that before the Babylonians sacked Jerusalem, it had found its way to Ethiopia, where it still resides in the town of Aksum, in the St. Mary of Zion cathedral.

Is Solomon's Temple still standing?

No remains from Solomon's Temple have ever been found. The presumption is that it was destroyed completely and buried during the huge project of building the Second Temple, in Herod's time.

What happened to the Ark of the Covenant?

The Ark moved around frequently according to the Hebrew Bible, but eventually it was settled in Ancient Israel. "The ark ended up permanently in Jerusalem, in the innermost chamber of the temple. The story of how it got there is found in 2 Sam.

Is dome of Rock part of Masjid Al Aqsa?

It is believed to be where the Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven during his Night Journey. So remember, Qibly Masjid and the Dome of the Rock are two distinct sites! Both are located within the Noble Sanctuary, al-Harma ash-Sharif, also known as al-Aqsa.