1 of 6 Israeli police officers escort people during a visit to the AlAqsa complex in September 2023 Photo: Sinan Abu Mayzer/ Portal Israeli police officers escort people during a visit to the AlAqsa complex in September 2023 Photo: Sinan Abu Mayzer/ Portal
Violent images of Israeli police entering the mosque to arrest “agitators” sparked strong reactions this week, not just in the Palestinian territory but in Israel and the Muslim world in general.
Check out 5 points about AlAqsa Mosque and tense moments in Jerusalem below:
1. When was it built and who manages it?
2 of 6 The Dome of the Rock is reflected in a water source used for ritual ablutions in the AlAqsa complex Photo: Ammar Awad/Portal The Dome of the Rock is reflected in a water source used for ritual ablutions in the AlAqsa complex is used. Aqsa Complex Aqsa Photo: Ammar Awad/ Portal
- The site is called AlHaram alSharif (Noble Sanctuary) by Muslims and is home to the Dome of the Rock and the AlAqsa Mosque (The Far).
- Construction began in the 7th century, after the conquest of Jerusalem by Caliph Umar. It was built on the site of the Jewish Temple destroyed by the Romans in 70, the only remains of which are the Western Wall.
- In the 1967 war, Israel seized AlAqsa Mosque and annexed it along with the rest of East Jerusalem.
- The Hashemite monarch of Jordan is the official custodian of the site. It appoints members of a foundation independent of the Israeli government known as the Islamic Waqf to oversee the site.
3 of 6 Palestinian women gather in front of the AlAqsa complex in Israel Photo: Ammar Awad/Portal Palestinian women gather in front of the AlAqsa complex in Israel Photo: Ammar Awad/Portal
- Muslims consider AlAqsa to be the third holiest site in Islam, after Mecca and Medina, both of which are in Saudi Arabia.
- At the core of monotheistic religions, Islam holds that the Prophet Mohammad was taken from Mecca to AlAqsa and from there to heaven in a single night in 620 AD.
- In addition, the Quran, the holy book of Islam, records that several people who Muslims consider to be prophets made a pilgrimage there, such as Ibrahim (Abraham), Dawud (David), Sulaiman (Solomon), Ilyas (Elías) and Isa (Jesus).
- Al Aqsa is located in the heart of Jerusalem’s Old City on a hill known to Muslims as al Haram al Sharif, or the Noble Sanctuary.
- This complex also houses two holy sites for Muslims: the Dome of the Rock and the AlAqsa or Qibli Mosque, built in the 18th century AD.
- The mosque is located in a place considered sacred in Judaism. It is known to Jews as Har ha Bayit or Temple Mount and is also sacred to Jews.
- They believe that King Solomon built the first temple there 3,000 years ago and that a second Jewish temple built on the site was destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD.
- Jews call the place the Temple Mount because there were two ancient temples there that were destroyed.
- Israel’s Chief Rabbinate prohibits Jews from entering the Temple Mount complex because it is considered too holy to enter.
- The Israeli government allows Jews to visit the site only as tourists and only for four hours a day, five days a week.
- Jews pray at the Western Wall below the Temple Mount, believed to be the last remnant of Solomon’s Temple.
- Israeli security forces remain present on site and Jews and Christians can visit, but to avoid clashes they have been prevented from praying there for years. Recently, Israeli police discreetly allowed Jews to pray there.
- Israeli religious nationalists have been visiting the site with increasing frequency, and Saturday’s statement from Hamas’ military wing cited Jewish prayer at the site and said the socalled “aggression” had “reached its peak in recent days.”
- NonMuslims can visit the mosque, but only believers of this religion can pray in the temple.
4 of 6 Palestinians gather in front of the AlAqsa complex in Israel in September 2023 Photo: Ammar Awad/ Portal Palestinians gather in front of the AlAqsa complex in Israel in September 2023 Photo: Ammar Awad/ Portal 5 of 6 Israeli police use electric shock bombs against Palestinians in Jerusalem on May 7, 2021 Photo: Ammar Awad/Portal Israeli police use electric shock bombs against Palestinians in Jerusalem on May 7, 2021 Photo: Ammar Awad/Portal
- The AlAqsa complex was considered a powder keg where the slightest incident could lead to clashes.
- In 1996, Israel’s decision to open a new entrance west of the Esplanade caused riots that killed 80 people over three days.
- On September 28, 2000, the visit of Ariel Sharon, then leader of Israel’s rightwing opposition, to the Esplanade was viewed by Palestinians as a provocation. The following day, violent clashes between Palestinians and Israeli police resulted in seven people among the protesters being shot, triggering the start of the second intifada.
- In 2014, Jordan and Israel face a crisis due to disagreements over the AlAqsa Mosque.
- In July 2017, two Palestinians died in clashes with Israeli security forces.
- In August 2019, clashes between Israeli police and worshipers on the esplanade of mosques during important Jewish and Muslim celebrations left dozens injured.
- The yearslong Palestinian uprising developed after a visit in 2000 by Ariel Sharon, then the leader of Israel’s rightwing opposition.
- There have been clashes there in recent years due to Israeli police raids. Israeli attacks on the mosque complex in May 2021 helped spark an 11day war between Israel and Hamas.
6 of 6 Palestinians flee as Israeli police fire stun bombs during clashes at the complex housing the AlAqsa Mosque in 2021 Photo: Ammar Awad/Portal Palestinians flee as Israeli police fire during clashes at the complex, which houses the AlAqsa Mosque, fires stun bombs. Aqsa Mosque in 2021 Photo: Ammar Awad/Portal
Watch videos about conflicts around the mosque
In April 2023, Israeli police attacked worshipers in the Jerusalem mosque
Understand what motivates the resumption of conflict in Jerusalem in 2021