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Politics & World • Religious Site

Temple Mount

The Temple Mount is a raised plaza in the Old City of Jerusalem that is sacred in Judaism, Islam, and Christianity.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Temple Mount is a raised plaza in the Old City of Jerusalem that is sacred in Judaism, Islam, and Christianity. It was the site of the First and Second Jewish Temples and is now home to the Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa Mosque. The site is a major religious and political flashpoint in Jerusalem.

History

The platform was expanded by Herod the Great in the late first century BCE for the Second Temple complex. The Second Temple was destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE, leaving the site central to Jewish memory and pilgrimage.

Religious significance

The Temple Mount is the holiest site in Judaism and one of the holiest places in Islam. Jewish tradition links it to the Temples and Abraham, while Islamic tradition associates it with the Prophet Muhammad’s ascent to heaven.

Present-day landmarks and access

The site contains the Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa Mosque, both major Islamic shrines. Access and administration are governed by a long-standing status quo involving the Islamic Waqf and Israeli security control.

Political significance

The Temple Mount is one of the most sensitive sites in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. Disputes over sovereignty, worship rights, and access have repeatedly caused tension and violence.

Key facts

  • The Temple Mount is a raised platform in southeastern Jerusalem’s Old City.
  • It is the traditional site of the First and Second Temples in Jewish history.
  • The Dome of the Rock was completed in 692 CE, and Al-Aqsa Mosque is also located there.
  • The site is sacred in Islam as the Haram al-Sharif and is linked to Muhammad’s Night Journey.
  • It has been a focal point of religious devotion and political conflict, especially since 1967.
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Canadian context

Canadian readers may know the Temple Mount through coverage of Middle East diplomacy, international law, interfaith relations, and global religious heritage debates.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Temple Mount?
It is a raised plaza in Jerusalem’s Old City that was the site of the Jewish Temples and now contains major Islamic shrines.
Why is it important in Judaism?
It is regarded as the holiest site in Judaism because the First and Second Temples stood there.
Why is it important in Islam?
It is known as Haram al-Sharif and is associated in Islamic tradition with Muhammad’s Night Journey and ascent to heaven.
What buildings are there today?
The main standing structures are the Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Who controls the site?
Day-to-day religious administration is handled by the Islamic Waqf, while Israel controls access and security.
Why is the site politically sensitive?
Competing religious claims and disputes over worship, administration, and sovereignty have made it a recurring flashpoint.

References

  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/place/Temple-Mount
    Supports: Historical overview, destruction of the Temple, and modern significance
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_Mount
    Supports: Location, major structures, and historical background
  3. My Jewish Learning — https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/what-is-the-temple-mount/
    Supports: Jewish and Islamic names, access, administration, and religious significance
  4. Jewish Virtual Library — https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/the-temple-mount
    Supports: Traditional identification, Temple history, and names
  5. University of Notre Dame — https://faith.nd.edu/temple-mount/
    Supports: Overview of the site’s significance across religions