The Dome of the Rock, built in 691 AD (also known as the Mosque of Omar) is the third holiest site in Islam (after the Kaaba in Mecca and the Prophet's tomb in Medina).  Located on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, it is said to be the site of the Prophet Mohammed's ascent to heaven from the foundation rock venerated inside.  Yes, that huge mosque surrounds a "rock" inside... (hence the name). Muhammad is said to have ascended to heaven on the back of his legendary horse el-Burek (who had the face of an angel, the body of a horse, and the tail of a peacock).  In fact the imprint of a single-hoof from el-Burek can be seen on the surface of the rock. (I've been there.  It does kinda look like a hoofprint... could be, maybe... I dunno).

Nearby is the Al-Aksa mosque, which is believed to have been the site where Mohammad landed, after his return from heaven.  The Al-Aksa mosque is still used today, as Muslims are called to prayer 5 times each day. These two buildings are the only major structures that remain on the Temple Mount.

This location is also revered in Jewish tradition. In the book of Genesis, Abraham was told to take his son Isaac up to Mt. Moriah and to sacrifice him to the Lord. Tradition tells us that the rock, inside the Mosque, is the top of Mount Moriah, and thereby possibly the location of that attempted sacrifice.  It is on that spot, that the first Temple of Israel was raised, later destroyed by the Babylonians... then a second temple raised by Solomon, only to be destroyed again by Rome.

After the destruction of the second temple, the only part that remained was the Western Wall, commonly referred to today as the Wailing Wall (Ha-Kotel).  It is here, that Jews come to pray (at the base of the Temple Mount) to connect with the stones that helped make up their ancient temple.  Prayers are written on small chits of paper, and stuffed into the cracks of the wall, in hopes that God will answer those prayers.  The Wailing wall is the single most revered site in the Jewish religion.

While the Temple Mount holds no special significance for Christians, Jerusalem herself does, and is the site of many significant events in the life and death of Jesus, especially the Via Dolorosa (and the stations of the cross), the Crucifixion, and the resurrection. The Mount of Olives, Garden of Gethsemane, and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher are among Christendom's holiest sites.  The Church of the Ascension is located just outside the city, along with Golgotha.

It's no wonder, given the beauty, the religious significance to three of the world's major religions and the emotional ties to that significance, that Jerusalem, and her holy sites, are the most fought over real estate in history.

Jerusalem and her ownership, are at the heart of the Arab-Israeli conflict.

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