DISCUSSION TOPIC: ENTERING SACRED SPACE -- JERUSALEM

Some Questions

• Why is Jerusalem considered so sacred to Jews, Christians and Muslims alike?

• Identify as many of the following and explain the significance of each:

Haram al-Sharif (Noble Sanctuary)

Temple Mount

Western Wall

Dome Of The Rock

Al-Aqsa Mosque

Solomon's Temple

Second Temple

Third Temple

Church Of The Holy Sepulchre

Via Dolorosa

Golgotha

Night Journey

Qibla

Ark Of The Covenant

Mount Moriah

Mount Of Olives

"Cleansing Of The Temple"

586 BCE

70 CE

1099 CE

• Why is the Temple Mount/Haram al-Sharif such contested space?  Is there a tradition also of finding common ground here?

• How would you compare and contrast the role Jerusalem plays in the three faiths with that played by Abraham?

General

• Old City Of Jerusalem:  A basic introduction to the sacred sites of Jerusalem from the History Channel.

•   Jerusalem -- Wikipedia:  An introductory history of the city from the on-line encyclopedia.

• David Van Biema, "Jerusalem At The Time Of Jesus," Time, April 16, 2001.

• Karen Armstrong, "Why Jerusalem Was Central To Muhammad," Time, April 16, 2001.

• David Van Biema, "The Mysteries Of Solomon's Temple," Time, April 16, 2001.

•   Tarik Kafala, "Holy Jerusalem: The Key To Peace," BBC News, February 18, 2003.

•   Fiona Symon, "Jerusalem: Crucible Of The Conflict," BBC News, December 4, 2001.

•   "Living In Jerusalem's Old City," BBC News, August 29, 2008.

• Daniel Klaidman et al., "The Real Jerusalem," Newsweek, 136 (July 24, 2000).

•   Hilary Andersson, "Praying For A Miracle," BBC News, July 22, 2000.

•   Lyse Doucet, "Farewell Jerusalem," BBC News, March 1, 1999.

•   "Holy City Creates Unholy Passions," BBC News, October 19, 1998.

• Richard Z. Chesnoff, "God's City," U.S. News And World Report, 119 (December 18, 1995).

•   "History And Politics Of Sacred Sites," Talk Of The Nation, October 16, 2000:  An interview about Jerusalem with scholar Karen Armstrong.

• Avishai Margalit, "The Myth Of Jerusalem," New York Review Of Books, 38 (December 19, 1991).

Haram Al-Sharif (The Noble Sanctuary) And The Temple Mount

• "Jerusalem: Temple Mount/Al-Haram al-Sharif," Guardian Special Report.

• Temple Mount -- Wikipedia:  An introduction to the contested sacred space at the centre of Jerusalem.

•  : A comprehensive description of the Muslim holy site.

• Dome Of The Rock:  An introduction from Sacred Destinations.

• Dome Of The Rock -- Wikipedia:  A very brief overview.

• Al Aqsa Mosque:  A short introduction from Sacred Destinations.

•   Al-Aqsa Mosque -- Wikipedia:  An entry from the on-line encyclopedia.

•   "Al-Aqsa: A Family Calling,"  Foreign Correspondent, ABC, June 10, 2008:  An Australian Broadcasting Corporation video documentary about the latest in a centuries-long family tradition of prayer callers at the famous mosque.

• Temple In Jerusalem -- Wikipedia:  A description from the on-line encyclopedia.

• Solomon's Temple -- Wikipedia:  A history of the First Temple.

•   Second Temple -- Wikipedia

• Third Temple -- Wikipedia:  Briefly explains the role that prophecies about this structure have in Jewish and Christian theology.

• Temple Mount In Jerusalem: Where Were The First And Second Jewish Temples Located:  A combination of scholarly and theologically-inspired information.

•   Mati Milstein, "Violence Sparked By Archaeological Projects In Jerusalem," National Geographic News, February 12, 2007.

• Paul Reynolds, "In Jerusalem, Archaeology Is Politics," BBC News, February 9, 2007.

• "Al-Aqsa Mosque Restriction Lifted," BBC News, October 14, 2004.

•   "Warning Over Jerusalem Holy Site," BBC News, February 16, 2004.

•   Martin Asser, "Tense Times At Jerusalem Holy Site," BBC News, September 1, 2003.

•   "In Pictures: Jerusalem Holy Site," BBC News, September 1, 2003.

•   "Visiting Jerusalem's Holiest Site," BBC News, July 27, 2003.

• "'Biblical Temple' Tablet Found," BBC News, January 14, 2003.

• "Part Of Temple Mount Wall 'Collapsing,'" BBC News, August 27, 2002.

• "Israel 'To Open Up Temple Mount,'" BBC News, January 23, 2002.

•   "Analysis: Jerusalem's Familiar Refrain," BBC News, July 30, 2001.

• "Rabbis Urge Temple Mount Visit," BBC News, July 19, 2001.

•   "Shots Fired At Jerusalem Holy Site," BBC News, September 28, 2000.

• Oleg Grabar, "The Haram Al-Sharif: An Essay In Interpretation," Royal Institute For Inter-Faith Studies, 2 (Autumn 2000).

Western Wall

•   Western Wall -- Wikipedia:  An entry from the on-line encyclopedia.

• Western Wall Foundation:  Extensive information from the official site.

•   "Western Wall 'Leak' Prompts Speculation," BBC News, July 4, 2002.

•   "Women Heckled At Western Wall," BBC News, June 4, 2000.

Holy Sepulchre And The Via Dolorosa

• Church Of The Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem:  An overview from Sacred Destinations.

• Basilica Of The Holy Sepulchre:  The official web-site.

• Church Of The Holy Sepulchre -- Wikipedia

• Via Dolorosa:  An introduction from Sacred Destinations.

•  Michael Hirst, "Christian Infighting In Jerusalem," BBC News, November 11, 2008.

•   "Monks Brawl At Jerusalem Shrine," BBC News, November 9, 2008.

• "Jerusalem Clerics In Punch-Up Row," BBC News, September 27, 2004.

•   "Holy War Over Jerusalem Church," BBC News, July 30, 2002.

•   "Holy Sepulchre Row," BBC News, June 22, 1999.

Miscellaneous

• Mount Of Olives -- Wikipedia

• Mount Of Olives: Historical And Spiritual History:  A history from Beit Orot, a Jewish organization dedicated to securing old Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

• Richard Black, "Tests Confirm Age Of Biblical Tunnel," BBC News, September 10, 2003.

• Isabel Kershner, "Symbol Of Peace Stands At Divide Between Jerusalem's Troubled East And West," New York Times, October 17, 2008.

•   Heather Sharp, "Cool Reception For Pope In Holy City," BBC News, May 12, 2009.

•   "In Pictures: Pope In Jerusalem," BBC News, March 26, 2000.

•   "Pope Visits Holiest Sites," BBC News, March 26, 2000.

•   Hilary Anderson, "Jerusalem's 40,000 Prophets," BBC News, July 27, 1999.

• "Jerusalem Braces For 'Biblical' Visitors," BBC News, June 15, 1999.

•   "Easter Procession In Jerusalem's Old City," BBC News, April 10, 1998.

• "Christian Zionism," Beyond Belief, BBC Radio 4, August 6, 2007: A weekly discussion roundtable hosted by Ernie Rhea.  Scroll to the bottom of the homepage to access this archived programme.

•   "Pastor John Hagee On Christian Zionism, Katrina," Fresh Air, September 18, 2006.