Enjoy and explore the wonders of the Muslim faith throughout Jerusalem. Jerusalem was the first Qiblah for Muslims - the place toward which Muslims turn in prayer before being replaced by Mecca. Visit the Dome of the Rock, a beautiful building often seen along Jerusalem skylines. The Dome of the Rock holds tremendous importance to Islam and is a truly magical site.
The Dome of the Rock
The Golden Dome
The Golden Dome crowns the Dome of the Rock. It was original made of gold, however was replaced with copper, then aluminium and is now covered with gold leaf, which was a donation from King Hussein of Jordan. The Dome demonstrates God's almighty power and sovereignty. It is also a symbol that God is above all and only he is worthy of adoration an worship. The Full Moon Symbol The dome is topped by a full moon symbol and it's aligned so that when looking straight through it, you will see Mecca, Islam's holiest city. |
Arabic Inscription
The Arabic Inscription around the exterior of the Dome is taken from verses of the Qur'an, the Muslim Holy Book. It tells the story of Muhammad, a famous prophet who is believed to have received messages from Allah, and his Night Story. |
Tiles and Mosaics The multi-coloured tiles and mosaics are covered in intricate designs of repeating mathematical patterns and symbols. This reminds muslims of the complexity of God and indescribable nature.
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The Sacred Rock The sacred rock was considered Holy long before the arrival of Islam. Jewish people believed that it was the rock where Abraham prepared to sacrifice his son Isaac. However, for Muslims, the Sacred rock s believed to be important because it is where Prophet Muhammad ascended into heaven during his Night Journey.
Who built the Dome of the Rock ?Abd al-Malik, the 5th century caliph built the Dome of the Rock.
When was it built? The building work started in 688 AD and finished in 691 AD. |
Why was the Dome of the Rock built? It was built as a shrine for Muslim pilgrims to visit and as a sacred place to honour the sacred stone it was built upon. It was also built to compete with Jewish synangogues and Christian churches.
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The Cupola: Inside the Dome
The cupola features elaborate floral decorations in gold and red which symbolise God's power and might. There are also various inscriptions from the Qur'an that talk about the glory and wonder of God, who is known as Allah. |
The Columns
The columns support the inner octagon and the centre circle. However, the columns do not only support the structure but symbolise the Muslim belief that god supports all life. |