Temple Mount

The Temple Mount (Hebrew: הַר הַבַּיִת (without niqqud: ?? ????), Har haBáyit) or Noble Sanctuary (Arabic: الحرم الشريف, {{Audio|ArHaramElSharif.ogg|al-Ḥaram aš-Šarīf}}) is a hotly contested religious site in the Old City of Jerusalem.

Related Topics:
Hebrew - Niqqud - Arabic - Jerusalem

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It was the site of the first and second Jewish Temple in Jerusalem and according to Judaism is to be the site of the third and final Temple in the time of the Messiah. It is also the site of two major Muslim religious shrines, the Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa Mosque, built in the 7th century. It is the holiest site in Judaism, the third holiest site in Islam, and has special significance to Christianity. It is thus one of the most contested religious sites in the world.

Related Topics:
Jew - Temple in Jerusalem - Judaism - Messiah - Dome of the Rock - Al-Aqsa Mosque - 7th century - Islam - Christianity

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Ariel Sharon's controversial September 28, 2000, visit to the Temple Mount is cited by many people as the event that precipitated the Second Intifada, although others dismiss this as a mere excuse offered by Palestinians and instead feel that the catalyst for the violence was the breakdown of the Camp David negotiations on July 25, 2000.

Related Topics:
Ariel Sharon - September 28 - 2000 - Second Intifada - Catalyst - Camp David - July 25

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