Al Aqsa Mosque Jerusalem
Al Aqsa Mosque - Jerusalem
Al Aqsa Mosque, the other structure on the Temple
Mount, is the largest mosque in Jerusalem with a prayer capacity of 5000.
Considered the world's third most important Islamic shrine, Al Aqsa
Mosque (Al Aqsa means "the farthest") was first built in the 8th century, then repeatedly rebuilt after
destruction by earthquakes. The structure in the picture above is the fifth or the
sixth reconstruction of the original.
After the bustling, narrow alleys of Old Jerusalem, the vast open expanse of the Temple Mount, which is totally flat and free of structures except the mosque and the Dome of the Rock, was a breath of fresh air. Of course, the Temple Mount wasn't so empty 2,000 years ago, when the area was dominated by the second temple of Jerusalem. Today's open expanse is the work of Titus, the Roman general and eventual Emperor who in 70 AD destroyed that temple, razed the Temple Mount area and scattered the Jews after they rebelled against Rome.
Travel Tip
As in any foreign land, greeting the locals in their language shows respect for their culture and wins friends, or at least answers to your questions about directions. To greet a Jew say, "Shalom", which means "Peace". The greeting for an Arab is a bit longer: "Salaam Wa Ah-lay-koom", which means "Peace be with you". The Arab will reply, "Wa Ah-lay-koom salaam", which means, "Peace be with you too", while the Jew will simply reply, "Shalom".
After the bustling, narrow alleys of Old Jerusalem, the vast open expanse of the Temple Mount, which is totally flat and free of structures except the mosque and the Dome of the Rock, was a breath of fresh air. Of course, the Temple Mount wasn't so empty 2,000 years ago, when the area was dominated by the second temple of Jerusalem. Today's open expanse is the work of Titus, the Roman general and eventual Emperor who in 70 AD destroyed that temple, razed the Temple Mount area and scattered the Jews after they rebelled against Rome.
Travel Tip
As in any foreign land, greeting the locals in their language shows respect for their culture and wins friends, or at least answers to your questions about directions. To greet a Jew say, "Shalom", which means "Peace". The greeting for an Arab is a bit longer: "Salaam Wa Ah-lay-koom", which means "Peace be with you". The Arab will reply, "Wa Ah-lay-koom salaam", which means, "Peace be with you too", while the Jew will simply reply, "Shalom".