What do Muslims do in Jerusalem?

Answer 1

Muslims must make a pilgrimage to Mecca (The Hajj) at least once in their lives. The Hajj is required of all able bodied Muslims if they can afford it. Although the Hajj is associated with the life of Mohammed, it is also part of traditions stretching much further back in time.

As part of the Hajj, each pilgrim in Mecca:

* walks counter-clockwise seven times about the Kaaba a cube-shaped building which acts as the Muslim direction of prayer (qibla)

* runs back and forth between the hills of Al-Safa and Al-Marwah

* drinks from the Zamam well

* goes to the plains of Mount Arafat to stand in vigil * throws stones in a ritual stoning of the devil

Mecca also spelled Makkah (in full: Makkah Al-Mukarramah Arabic: مكّة المكرمة‎, literally: Honored Mecca) is Islam's holiest city and home to the Kaaba shrine and the Masjid al-Haram (The Sacred or Grand Mosque). The city is known for the annual Hajj pilgrimage, which being one of the Five Pillars of Islam, attracts close to 3 million pilgrims every year. Islamic tradition attributes the beginning of Mecca to Ishmael's descendants. In the 7th century, the Islamic prophet Muhammad proclaimed Islam in the city, by then an important trading center, and the city played an important role in the early history of Islam. After 966, Mecca was led by local sharifs, until 1924, when it came under the rule of the Saudis.[1] In its modern period, Mecca has seen a great expansion in size and infrastructure. The modern day city is located in and the capital of Saudi Arabia's Makkah Province, in the historic Hejaz region. With a population of 1,700,000 (2008), the city is located 73 km (45 mi) inland from Jeddah, in a narrow valley, and 277 m (910 ft) above sea level.

Answer 2

Muslims visit the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem. This is a place where it is believed that many prophets are buried from the time of the arrival of the Hebrews to Israel until their expulsion by the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar. Muslims believe that these prophets were not just Jewish prophets, but universal prophets to teach all mankind.

Answer 3

Just like Jews and Christians Muslims also believe in Jesus - just in a diffrent context. Muslims believe Jesus to be a prophet rather than god's son. As Jesus was born in Jerusalem it is therefore an important city to Muslims as well. For the same reasons as the other religions.

Answer 4

Muslims go to Jerusalem to pray in Al-Aqsa mosque "Masjid" since one Raka'a "prayer" in Al-Aqsa = 500 prayers elsewhere.