Al-Aqsa Mosque
Yerushalayim
Al-Aqsa Mosque is a revered Islamic religious compound located on the Temple Mount (Haram al-Sharif) in Jerusalem's Old City. It comprises multiple structures including the main congregational mosque, known as Al-Aqsa Mosque or Qibli Mosque, along with the Dome of the Rock, minarets, prayer halls, madrasas, and other religious buildings. The mosque's origins trace back to the 7th century during the Rashidun or Umayyad caliphates, with the current main structure primarily built in the late 7th to early 8th centuries. It has undergone multiple reconstructions due to earthquakes and historical conflicts, notably rebuilt by the Abbasids and Fatimids, with its present form reflecting 11th-century architecture. The site was used as a palace and headquarters by Crusaders before being restored as a mosque by Saladin in the 12th century. Over centuries, successive Islamic dynasties expanded and renovated the mosque and its precincts, adding domes, minarets, and intricate interior decorations. Al-Aqsa holds immense religious importance as the third holiest site in Islam and is a focal point of historical and ongoing geopolitical tensions due to its location atop a site sacred in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. It remains under the independent administration of the Jerusalem Waqf despite the complex political situation.
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Astuce: Visitors should consider the political sensitivities surrounding Al-Aqsa Mosque and plan visits during non-peak hours to avoid large crowds. It is advisable to check opening hours in advance and respect local customs and dress codes. Purchasing tickets or permits ahead of time may be necessary depending on access regulations. Discounts or facilitated entry may be available for certain groups, such as students or religious pilgrims. Guided tours can enhance understanding of the site's rich history and significance.
Faits intéressants
- •Al-Aqsa Mosque is considered the third holiest site in Islam after Mecca and Medina.
- •The mosque compound includes the Dome of the Rock, one of the oldest Islamic monuments.
- •It has been rebuilt multiple times due to earthquakes and historical conflicts.
- •During the Crusader period, the mosque served as a palace and Knights Templar headquarters.
- •The mosque's name means 'the farthest mosque' and is mentioned in the Quran's Surah 17.
- •The compound’s location atop the Temple Mount is sacred to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, making it a focal point of religious significance and geopolitical conflict.
Histoire
Al-Aqsa Mosque's origins date to the 7th century during the Rashidun or Umayyad caliphates, initially as a small prayer house.
The main mosque was constructed in the late 7th and early 8th centuries by Caliphs Abd al-Malik and al-Walid I.
It was destroyed by an earthquake in 746 and rebuilt by the Abbasid caliph al-Mansur in 758, expanded further by al-Mahdi in 780.
Another earthquake in 1033 led to reconstruction by the Fatimid caliph al-Zahir, who shaped much of the current 11th-century structure.
The Crusaders converted it into a palace and Knights Templar headquarters after 1099, until Saladin restored it as a mosque in 1187.
Subsequent renovations were carried out by Ayyubid, Mamluk, Ottoman, British Mandate, and Jordanian authorities.
Since Israeli occupation began, the mosque remains under the Jerusalem Waqf's independent administration.