Where is Al Aqsa Mosque and why is it important in Islam?

Where is Al-Aqsa Mosque?

Al-Aqsa is located in the heart of Jerusalem's Old City, on a hill known to Jews as Har ha-Bayit (Temple Mount), and to Muslims internationally as al-Haram al-Sharif (The Noble Sanctuary).

Muslims consider the site the third holiest site in Islam, after Mecca and Medina. Al-Aqsa is the name given to the entire complex and is home to two Islamic holy sites: the Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa Mosque, also known as the Qibli Mosque, which was built in the 8th century AD.

The complex overlooks the Western Wall, a sacred prayer site for Jews, who consider the Temple Mount their holiest site. Jews believe that the biblical King Solomon built the first temple there 3,000 years ago. A second temple was razed by the Romans in 70 AD.

Israel captured the site in the 1967 Middle East war and annexed it with the rest of East Jerusalem and adjacent parts of the West Bank, a move not recognized internationally.

Why is Al-Aqsa a flashpoint between Israel and Palestine?

The Al-Aqsa complex has long been a flashpoint for deadly violence over sovereignty and religious issues in Jerusalem.

Under Israel's long-standing "status quo" arrangement, non-Muslims can visit but only Muslims are allowed to worship on mosque premises.

Jewish visitors are now openly praying at the site, despite Israeli rules and restrictions, leading to protests and outbreaks of violence.

Clashes at the site in 2021 contributed to a 10-day war between Israel and Gaza, an isolated strip of land along the Mediterranean Sea controlled by the Palestinian Islamist militant group Hamas.

In 2000, Israeli politician Ariel Sharon, then leader of the opposition, led a group of Israeli lawmakers to visit the al-Haram al-Sharif complex. Palestinians protested, and violent clashes erupted, escalating into the second Palestinian uprising, also known as the Al-Aqsa Intifada.

Hoang Ton (according to Reuters)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/nha-tho-hoi-giao-al-aqsa-o-dau-va-tai-sao-no-lai-quan-trong-trong-dao-hoi-post242446.html