Al-Aqsa Mosque, because it is important in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict

The mosque of Al-Aqsa has returned to the center of the clash between Israel and Palestine: on April 5th the Israeli police carried out a raid which unleashed the reaction of the Palestinians, as well as of the entire Arab world

WATCH THE VIDEO: Clashes at al Aqsa mosque, one officer injured and 35 arrested

WHERE IS AL AQSA – The mosque of Al-Aqsa is located in the heart of the Old Town of Jerusalemon a hill known to Jews as Har ha-Bayitor Temple Mount, and for all Muslims like al-Haram al-Sharif, o The Noble Sanctuary

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WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO MUSLIMS – The Al-Aqsa site it is among the most important for the Islamic faith: it is in fact considered as the third holiest place in Islam, after Mecca and Medina. Al-Aqsa is the name given to the entire complex and houses two Muslim holy sites such as the Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa Mosquealso known as Qibli Mosque, built in8th century AD

Jerusalem, clashes in the Al-Aqsa mosque

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO JEWS – However, the place is also important for the Jewish faith: the complex overlooks the Western Wall, a sacred place of prayer for Jews, they have on the Temple Mount the holiest place. According to the Jewish cult the biblical king Solomon he would build the first temple there 3000 years ago, while a second temple it was razed to the ground by the Romans in AD 70

Israel, leader of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigade escapes from prison

HISTORY – The place is not only important in terms of level religious but also historic: Israel captured the site during the war in Middle East 1967 and annexed it to the rest of East Jerusalem and to the adjacent parts of the West Bank. The move, not recognized internationally, raised anger in all Muslim countries including Jordan

Israel, 7 rockets fired from Gaza after clashes at the Esplanade of the Mosques

WHAT HAPPENED IN THE PAST – The “status quo” agreement of long time that governs the area provides that non-Muslims can visit the site but only Muslims have the opportunity to pray in the mosque complex. However, Jewish visitors always have more or less openly prayed in the site in violation of the rules, and Israeli restrictions on the access of Muslim believers to the site due to the increasing presence of troops almost on the doorstep, he rekindled spirits

THE PREVIOUS – In 2000, Ariel Sharonthen leader of the opposition and shortly thereafter prime minister, climbed the complex of the Temple Mount/al-Haram al-Sharif. It was a way of reaffirming how Israel had full control of the areataking up that old adage that held how “who controls the Temple Mount has rights to the Land of Israel”. The reaction was the protest of the Palestinians which resulted in the so-called Al-Aqsa Intifada

WHAT HAPPENED IN 2021 – Other clashes took place in 2021with other clashes between Israeli and Palestinian forces, when many faithful had gathered on the esplanade for the last great Friday prayer before the end of the month of Ramadan

Temple Mount, Palestine: Israel declares war