What a contrast...

Again, the Wailing Wall with all the celebratory activities going on, but the real reason I included this picture is to show the wooden walkway going up the right side.  This is the "temporary" entrance for non-Muslims to the Temple Mount.  Again, there is a scanner for purses and backpacks, and a big list of what not to bring: any kind of food, any kind of religious books, any conspicuous religious jewelry like a cross on a necklace; dress modestly (and it is possible to be turned away if a woman's legs or shoulders are showing--no capri's, shorts or tank tops, but that certainly wasn't a problem for our group!)

I mentioned that this ramp is temporary, yet it has been there since 2003 when the Muslims began allowing access again  (In 2001 it had been suspended).  They haven't been able to agree on a different entrance.

 Al Aqsa Mosque, first built in 701 A.D., and renovated several times since then. 

 We were not allowed to go inside.  Despite having two mosques on the Temple Mount,

Jerusalem wasn't considered very special by Muslims until the last 100 years or so.

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We were also warned strictly, no touching between husband and wife.

Our district president put his arm around his daughter for a picture in front of Dome of the Rock and it only took about 1/2 second before an enforcer was running over, "excuse me, excuse me!  Are you family?"  

It was so intimidating, I took to walking several paces apart from Kevin just so I wouldn't forget and take his hand or something!

 We sat and learned more about the 5 pillars of Islam from our guide, and while listening, I was watching the Israeli armed guards chatting together.  Totally at ease, even with their flak vests on and automatic rifles.

One part of Islam: a pilgrimage to Mecca once in your lifetime, where you go in white clothes and a new name is received.  If you have the means, you can go again, but you go for someone who can't go, and you receive their new name for them.  Interesting! 

The most important pillar is worship of Allah, the Arabic way of pronouncing Elohim.

 Dome of the Rock, and we couldn't go inside!  No non-Muslims have been allowed inside since 2003.

What a contrast!  Every other church in this land is open to visitors, with the provision that you be respectful and reverent.  This was built in 690 AD, to commemorate where Abraham intended to offer Ishmael (not Isaac).  The Temple Mount is Mount Moriah.  Supposedly, this was also the place where Mohammed ascended to heaven in a dream.  

There is some evidence that the Dome is a bit to the south of the Holy of Holies in the original Temple, as it does not line up with the Gate Beautiful and the mount of Olives as the temple would have.

In a recent article, it was mentioned that the Temple Mount is considered a no-prayer zone for non-Muslims.  And maybe that's why it had such a foreign feeling.

Or maybe it was because the mid-afternoon call to prayer was coming soon and all non-Muslims were being hurried off the Mount.  We were just a few minutes off the Mount when the call to prayer came--an almost deafening chanting voice broadcast over loudspeakers.   There are several mosques inside the walls of Old Jerusalem, and the sounds competed with each other.  

It would probably sound exotic and interesting from a long distance away.