Its significance stems from the religious beliefs regarding the rock at its heart. According to Islamic tradition, the rock is the spot from where Muhammad ascended to Heaven accompanied by the angel Gabriel. The sacred rock over which the Dome of the Rock is built was considered holy before the arrival of Islam. Jews believed, and still believe, the rock to be the very place where Abraham prepared to sacrifice Isaac.

Just as Muslims pray towards the Kaaba at Mecca, the holiest site in Islam, Jews pray towards the site of the ancient Holy of Holies, the Foundation Stone, the holiest site in Judaism.

In the Middle Ages, Christians and Muslims both believed the Dome of the Rock to stand directly over the site of the Holy of Holies of both Solomon's Temple and Herod's Temple. The Knights Templar made their headquarters there during the Crusades and later patterned their churches after its design

The Dome of the Rock was originally intended as a shrine for pilgrims and not as a mosque for public worship. ENJOY!!

PALESTINE

IRAN

IRAQ

JORDAN

SAUDI ARABIA