Question: The Dome of the Rock is a shrine in which Middle Eastern city?
Show answer
Jerusalem.
The Dome of the Rock, an iconic Islamic shrine, is located in Jerusalem, a city revered as sacred by the three Abrahamic faiths: Islam, Christianity, and Judaism. Situated on the Temple Mount, also known as Haram al-Sharif in Arabic, the Dome of the Rock holds profound religious and historical significance, making it one of the most recognized landmarks in the Middle East and the world.
Constructed between 687 and 691 CE during the reign of the Umayyad Caliph Abd al-Malik, the Dome of the Rock is one of the earliest surviving examples of Islamic architecture. Its gilded dome and intricate mosaics symbolize the artistic and spiritual achievements of early Islam. The structure enshrines the Foundation Stone, which holds deep religious importance. In Islamic tradition, this stone is believed to be the spot from which the Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven during the Isra’ and Mi’raj, a miraculous night journey. For Jews, the stone is associated with the site of the First and Second Temples, making it a focal point of their spiritual heritage.
The Dome of the Rock is not only a spiritual symbol but also a testament to Jerusalem’s complex history. The city, contested and cherished by multiple faiths, has seen centuries of cultural and political transformation. Today, the shrine is part of a site administered by the Islamic Waqf, though it remains a point of contention in the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The Dome of the Rock’s breathtaking architecture and its location in Jerusalem make it a powerful emblem of faith, history, and identity, drawing millions of visitors and pilgrims from around the world.
