Jerusalem

Audio transcript:

>>STEVE ST. GEORGE: Hello. I'm Steve St. George. And this is a crash course in Islam. Today Jerusalem, the sacred place in Islam - it is the third holiest shrine after Mecca and Medina. This is in part because of the city's association with important Abrahamic prophets including Kings David and Solomon as well as Jesus. The three are considered prophets of Islam. Jerusalem also served as the first North Star of sorts for Muslims. In the beginning it was toward Jerusalem not Mecca that Muslims prayed. It was also from Jerusalem, the Temple Mount in fact that Muslims believe Mohammed ascended to heaven. There after consulting many prophets including Moses, Muhammad asked Allah for the number of times Muslims should pray. From 50, Allah made them five. The dome of the rock considered one of the holiest sites in Islam was constructed over the place. It's believed Mohammed ascended to heaven. Not far from the dome since the Al-Aqsa Mosque. It too considered among the holiest of places in Islam. Muslims believe the prophet Mohammed led a prayer there with all of the messengers and prophets in human history.

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