These are holy places of different religious groups in Eastern Mediterranean and they are all in one city. Which city?

Jerusalem

Focus and Objective  At the end of class today you will understand and identify the three main religions found in the Middle East and where the source of political tension in this region comes from and why its there!  Discuss Do you know of a conflict between different religious groups in the United States? Do we have a lot of religious conflicts in the United States, why or why not?

Key Terms  Dome of the Rock/ Temple Mount  Western Wall  Synagogues  Mosque  Church  Islam  Christianity  Judaism

 Jerusalem plays an important role in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The 2000 Statistical Yearbook of Jerusalem lists 1204 synagogues, 158 churches, and 73 mosques within the city. Despite efforts to maintain peaceful religious coexistence, some sites, such as the Temple Mount, have been a continuous source of friction and controversy.

Dome of the Rock (Q: does this structure remind you of anything we’ve seen before?) (A: Kaaba in Mecca)

Dome of the Rock  (Q: does this structure remind you of anything we’ve seen before?)  A: Kaaba in Mecca, Saudi Arabia

Jerusalem, Israel

Islamic Importance  According to Islamic tradition, the rock is the spot from where Muhammad ascended to Heaven accompanied by the angel Gabriel.

Judaism Importance and the Western Wall  Sometimes referred to as the Wailing Wall. Wailing Wall Is an important Jewish religious site located in the Old City of Jerusalem.  According to majority rabbinic opinion, Jews may not set foot upon the Temple Mount and doing so is a sin punishable by Jewish Law.  In Judaism, the Western Wall is venerated as the sole remnant of the Holy Temple. It has become a place of pilgrimage for Jews, as it is the closest permitted accessible site to the holiest spot in Judaism

Where is the Dome of the Rock compared to the Western Wall?  Right below it!

Christianity  What is special about this city according to Christians?  With the person sitting next to you come up with your best explanation as to why this city would be special for Christians.  In addition to what you said:  In Christianity according to the Bible, Solomon's Temple was built at the Temple Mount in the 10th century BCE and destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BCE.  During the time of the Byzantine Empire, the spot where the Dome was later constructed was where Constantine's mother built a small church, calling it the Church of St. Cyrus  On the walls of the Dome of the Rock is an inscription that includes the following words:  "Bless your envoy and your servant Jesus son of Mary and peace upon him on the day of birth and on the day of death and on the day he is raised up again. It is a word of truth in which they doubt. It is not for God to take a son. Glory be to him.

Class Discussion Question  Imagine living in a house with family members where everybody has different beliefs? Tower of David

Class Discussion Question  What religions find Jerusalem sacred?  Jerusalem is holy to Judaism, Christianity and Islam….but why?  Why is this city a source of political tension in the Southwest Asia and Central Asia region and why its there? Tower of David