Which country owns Al-Aqsa Mosque? Why was Al Aqsa built in Jerusalem?

The Al-Aqsa Mosque is located in the Old City of Jerusalem and is considered the third holiest site in Islam after Mecca and Medina. The mosque is situated on the Temple Mount, which is also known as Haram al-Sharif.

The compound contains several other important religious sites, including the Dome of the Rock, which is believed to be the spot where Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven.

Ownership of the Al-Aqsa Mosque is a contentious issue in the Israel-Palestinian conflict. During the negotiations at the 2000 Camp David Summit, Palestinians demanded complete ownership of the mosque and other Islamic holy sites in East Jerusalem.

However, Israel has controlled East Jerusalem since 1967 and considers it part of its capital city. The site is managed by Jordanian-appointed Jerusalem Waqf Council, while security there is overseen by Israel.

The Al-Aqsa Mosque was built in Jerusalem because it was believed to be the site where Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven during his miraculous journey from Mecca to Jerusalem. The mosque was originally built by Caliph Umar in 638 CE, just a few years after the Muslim conquest of Jerusalem.

As one of the most significant religious and historical sites in the world, Al-Aqsa Mosque holds immense importance for Muslims, and its history is deeply intertwined with the complex tapestry of Jerusalem’s past.