# Al-Aqsa Mosque (Disambiguation) – Organization
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Who / What
The term **"Al-Aqsa Mosque"** refers to two distinct entities within the broader context of Islamic and Jewish heritage in Jerusalem. It encompasses:
1. **The Al-Aqsa Mosque compound** (*Haram al-Sharif*), a sacred religious sanctuary covering the Temple Mount, historically significant for both Judaism and Islam.
2. The **Al-Aqsa Mosque building**, specifically the congregational prayer hall (also called the Qibli Mosque or Qibli Chapel), located at the southern end of the compound.
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Background & History
The term originates from Islamic tradition, where **"Al-Aqsa"** (*the Far-Off*) refers to the third holiest site in Islam after Mecca and Medina. The **Temple Mount** (Haram al-Sharif) has been a contested religious site for millennia:
**Ancient origins**: Associated with Jewish temples (e.g., Herodian Temple) and later expanded under Islamic rule.**638 CE**: Conquered by the Umayyad Caliphate, becoming a mosque after the destruction of the Second Temple.**1099–1250**: Ruled by Crusaders, then by the Ayyubid dynasty (Saladin), who restored its status as an Islamic holy site.**Ottoman era (1517)**: Officially designated as a mosque under Ottoman rule, though Jewish and Christian worshippers also visited.---
Why Notable
The Al-Aqsa Mosque compound holds profound cultural, religious, and political significance:
**Islamic heritage**: The third holiest site after Mecca and Medina, central to the Islamic faith (e.g., the Prophet Muhammad’s night journey).**Jewish history**: Site of the First and Second Temples; later contested during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War and ongoing conflicts.**Symbolic power**: Represents a nexus of religious identity, often central to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.---
In the News
Recent developments highlight its enduring relevance:
Ongoing **Israeli-Palestinian conflict**, with frequent clashes over access and status within the compound.**2016–Present**: Tensions escalate during Ramadan, with protests and security measures by Israeli authorities.**International attention**: The site remains a focal point for global diplomacy, human rights debates, and religious freedom discussions.---
Key Facts
**Type:** Organization (religious/architectural complex)**Also known as:**Haram al-Sharif (*Sacred Sanctuary*)Temple Mount (*Haram al-Baḥr*)Qibli Mosque / Qibli Chapel (specific prayer hall)**Founded/Born:** ~638 CE (conquest by Umayyads; expanded later)**Key dates:****1099**: Crusader occupation.**1250**: Ayyubid restoration.**1517**: Ottoman designation as a mosque.**1948–Present**: Israeli control (since 1967 occupation).**Geography:**Located in the **Old City of Jerusalem**, Israel/Palestine.Situated atop the **Temple Mount Plateau** (~50m above sea level).**Affiliation:** Associated with the **Islamic faith**; historically linked to Jewish and Christian traditions.---
Links
[Wikipedia – Al-Aqsa Mosque (Disambiguation)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Aqsa_Mosque_(disambiguation))
