Jerusalem Visit to Haram al-Sharif

Visit to Haram al-Sharif

The next morning’s optional tour was to visit Jerusalem’s New City. But those who wanted to do something other than going on that tour had other options available. We took the opportunity to visit Temple Mount (Haram al-Sharif). This Shrine is where Muslims once faced to pray and believed that the Prophet Mohammed ascended to heaven is the third holiest after Mecca and Medina. Jerusalem is the third holiest city after Mecca and Medina for the Muslims. Since Jews consider it the holiest site, it makes it the most contested religious site globally.

We availed an Uber to go there. The taxi dropped us off at the spot from where we had to walk. It was early in the morning, and the most surprising part was that we were on Via Dolorosa, where only the day before, we struggled to keep up with our group and our tour manager. But at this time of the day, it was blissful and fun to walk as we were doing this on our own on empty streets. All the women were modestly and respectfully dressed with headcovers as they were supposed to follow a dress code. Even men were dressed in long pants and shirts to cover their shoulders as they were expected to do. There was a strict security check at the plaza gate, and everyone’s passports and documents were checked.

 When we entered, a young man approached us to be our guide. It was lucky for us because without him we would have never known some essential information. He told us that the whole compound is called Al Aqsa Compound, where five Mosques, including Al-Aqsa Mosque,  and Haram al-Sharif, built on the highest spot, are located on 14 hectares of ground. He also showed us where the compound Al-Aqsa Mosque was located. The historical significance of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Islam is emphasized because it became Qibla that Muslims now face for prayers.

We decided to go inside the Dome of the Rock (Haram al-Sharif) first. Its amazing interior is a sight to behold. Its stunning Interior Dome is decorated with a brilliant mosaic of tiles. The ceilings and the entire area of the walls are spectacularly decorated with striking colors and designs.

• 

• 

Some of the Arches have exactly the same designs as in Cardoba Mosque in Cardoba, Spain.  

The rock upon which the whole structure is erected can be seen by walking around it as it is fenced off to protect the sacred rock to both Jews and Muslims alike.

According to Jewish tradition, the stone is the “Navel of the Earth”, the place where the creation began, and the site where Abraham was poised to sacrifice his son. And sacred to Muslims because it is traditionally believed that The Prophet Muhammed, founder of Islam, ascended into heaven from the site.

When we were there, some of the worshippers were reciting Quran, and others just prayed. Stacks of copies of the Quran are available for worshippers to use all around the prayer areas. As we were leaving, One of the ladies approached and welcomed me. She also offered me prayer beads as a gift.

After walking around the area to see all the mosques and other religious landmarks of Islamic architecture, We entered Al Aqsa Mosque. It has large prayer areas which are kept meticulously clean for people to pray on the carpet designed as prayer mats where worshippers pray in their individual spots. It was very peaceful and inviting to sit and meditate.

Even though we did this on our own, we had no trouble doing it. Like I mentioned before, the young man, who became our guide, changed the whole visit by giving us the information, in perfect English, so vital to the tour. It is not possible to get such and information by talking to people. With that approach, the most important hurdle would be the language. Even if they were knowledgeable, the language barrier would make it impossible to understand everything… We felt fortunate. When we got back, everyone in our group wanted to know everything about our visit to Haram al-Sharif (Temple Mount). This is how I thought I could offer information to all those who did not have the opportunity this time around.

Click Here Trip to The Middle East