Dome Of The Rock Research Paper

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The Dome of the Rock is an impressive, beautiful edifice which can be seen all over the city of Jerusalem. However imposing the Rock may be, even more impressive are the grounds on which it was built, as they have vast historical significance and are a foundational component of the belief systems of Muslims, Christians, and Jews. As a result, the site has been a major source of conflict, and often violence, between these sects throughout its history. Equally impressive as the historic site on which it is built, the Dome of the Rock is an awe-inspiring feature adorning the Jerusalem cityscape. Built in 691, it appears there as an octagonal building adorned with gold, Persian tiles, marbled columns, glass mosaics, and colored glass windows.…show more content…
Revered as the Noble Sanctuary, it is distinguished as being the location from which the Prophet Mohammed made his ascension into heaven. Additionally, the site is associated with Jewish biblical prophets who are also venerated in the Islamic faith. Due to the significance of the site for Muslims, 50 years after Mohammed’s death, the Dome of the Rock was built as the Muslims’ first masterpiece. Though the site of the Dome of the Rock has been under the control of Muslims, Jews, and Christians since its construction, the Muslims have maintained their right to ownership of the site. Thus the reason for much bloodshed and conflict between the opposing…show more content…
Recognized by Jews and Christians alike as being the place in which Abraham displayed his unwavering obedience to God through his offering of Isaac as a sacrifice, it is also the site on which Solomon built the temple destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar. Moreover, in this same location, the temple Herod built, and whose destruction was prophesied by Jesus, the Romans leveled to the ground. Muslims hold the site of the Dome of the Rock in reverence as they believe it was at this place Mohammed made his ascension into heaven. Subsequently, upon entering Jerusalem in 637 A.C., Caliph 'Umar Ibn al-Khattab ordered the erection of an austere wooden mosque on a deserted platform strewn with debris. The Umayyed, Abd-al-Malik, had the Dome of the Rock built on this site, close to the dome of the Christian Church of the Holy Sepulchre and resembling it in many ways. The resultant structure of the Dome of the Rock gave evidence of bearing characteristics of “Christians and Muslims shared common heritage of building materials, techniques, and tools passed on from the Greco-Romans, Persian, and even the earlier Etruscans worlds with shared workers, builders, and craftsmen” (Grupico). Though there has much contention and bloodshed throughout

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