Question

The city of Jerusalem is only important to the Jewish faith.

Answer 1

Not correct. Jerusalem is central to Judaism, but it is also sacred to Christianity and Islam and is significant historically, culturally and politically to many other peoples and communities.

Briefly:
- Judaism: Temple Mount (site of the First and Second Temples), the Western Wall, King David’s ancient capital, and many prayers and festivals are tied to Jerusalem.
- Christianity: many key events in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus are traditionally located in Jerusalem; the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is one of Christianity’s most important pilgrimage sites.
- Islam: the Haram al-Sharif/Al-Aqsa compound (including the Dome of the Rock) is Islam’s third-holiest site and linked to the Prophet Muhammad’s Night Journey (Isra and Mi‘raj).
- Other aspects: longstanding Armenian, Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant Christian communities; major archaeological and historical heritage; and central political and national symbolism for Israelis and Palestinians and widespread interest around the world.

So Jerusalem’s importance is multi-faith and multi-dimensional, not limited to Judaism.