Al-Aqsa Mosque

Al-Aqsa Mosque. It is a major mosque located in the Old City of Jerusalem, within a site known to Muslims as Al-Haram al-Sharif and to Jews as the Temple Mount. The entire compound is considered the third holiest site in Islam, after Masjid al-Haram in Mecca and Al-Masjid an-Nabawi in Medina. The current structure, significantly expanded and renovated over centuries, sits atop a vast platform that also houses the iconic Dome of the Rock.

History

The site's sanctity in Islam is linked to the Isra and Mi'raj, the Prophet Muhammad's night journey from Mecca to this location and his subsequent ascension to heaven. Initial construction is credited to the Umayyad Caliphate, under Caliph Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan and his son Al-Walid I, completing the first mosque around 705 CE. It suffered damage from earthquakes, including major ones in 746 and 1033 CE, leading to successive reconstructions. The Crusades saw the complex transformed, serving as the headquarters for the Knights Templar after the Siege of Jerusalem (1099), before being recaptured by Saladin following the Siege of Jerusalem (1187). Subsequent rule by the Ayyubid dynasty, Mamluk Sultanate, and Ottoman Empire brought further restoration and embellishment. In the modern era, control of the site became a central issue in the Arab–Israeli conflict, particularly after the Six-Day War in 1967, though administrative control remains with the Jordanian Ministry of Awqaf.

Architecture

The architectural ensemble represents a palimpsest of Islamic styles. The main prayer hall is a vast hypostyle structure with a silver-domed roof, featuring marble columns and arcades built in the Umayyad tradition. Major renovations under the Fatimid Caliphate after the 1033 earthquake introduced intricate stucco work and Kufic inscriptions. The Crusader period left fortified elements, while the Mamluks added ornate mihrabs and the four distinctive minarets, including the notable Al-Fakhariyya Minaret. The Ottomans, under Suleiman the Magnificent, contributed extensive Iznik tile work and a refurbished facade. The expansive plaza is supported by monumental substructures like the "Solomon's Stables".

Religious significance

In Islamic tradition, the entire precinct is revered as a Masjid, a place of prostration. It is designated as the first Qibla, the direction toward which early Muslims prayed before the command shifted to Mecca. The Isra and Mi'raj event, mentioned in Surah Al-Isra of the Quran, anchors its holiness. For Sunni Islam, it is one of the Three Holy Mosques. The site also holds deep eschatological importance, associated with events of the Day of Judgment in Hadith literature. Its significance is further emphasized during periods like the holy month of Ramadan and the festival of Eid al-Adha.

Administration and access

Day-to-day administration and religious custodianship are held by the Jordanian Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, a role reinforced by the Israel–Jordan peace treaty. Security control of the compound's entrances, however, rests with the Israel Police and the Israel Border Police. Access for non-Muslim visitors is restricted to specific hours and gates, such as the Mughrabi Bridge, and prayer is prohibited for them by Israeli law. These arrangements are a persistent source of tension, often sparking clashes during periods of heightened conflict, such as the Second Intifada or operations like Guardian of the Walls.

Archaeological findings and controversies

Archaeological work in and around the platform has been intensely politicized. Early excavations by figures like Charles Warren for the Palestine Exploration Fund revealed Herodian-era expansion walls and water systems. Israeli projects, such as those following the Six-Day War near the Western Wall, have uncovered artifacts from the First Temple period and Second Temple period. The construction of the Mughrabi Bridge and the opening of the Western Wall Tunnel by the Israel Antiquities Authority have sparked major diplomatic incidents and riots, denounced by the UNESCO and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. Allegations that Israeli excavations undermine the structural integrity of the mosque are a recurring feature of the conflict, as seen during the 2000 Camp David Summit and subsequent violence.

Category:Mosques in Jerusalem Category:Umayyad architecture Category:Islam in Jerusalem