637 A.D. - Arabs conquered the city after the siege of Jerusalem. Omar the Great personally arrived in the city to negotiate a peace treaty, one in which he decreed Jews were allowed to return to Palestine after a 500 year ban by the Romans/Byzantines.

After terms were agreed he asked to see the famous Temple Mount. He found it to be a complete mess. The Romans had used it for years as a garbage dump. He got on his hands and knees and dug out trash. Soon everyone there was helping. He choose that spot for a small mosque to be built. This became Al-Aqsa Mosque.

661 A.D. and 700 A.D - Al-Aqsa Mosque was built. It evolved from a small place of prayer to a larger structure. It was damaged in an earthquake in 746 and repaired, torn down in 754 and rebuilt. Torn down again in 780 and rebuilt again. Another earthquake in 1033 then it was reconstructed a few years later and that structure remains.

685 - 691 A.D. - The Dome of the Rock was built to function as a shrine for pilgrims to Jerusalem. In my opinion it is one of the most beautiful buildings ever erected.

1099 - Crusaders captured Jerusalem. Eventually Al-Aqsa Mosque morphed into the headquarters of The Templar Knights. The Dome of the Rock was considered to be the location of The First Temple and the Knights transformed that into a Christian church.

1187 - Saladin conquered Jerusalem and restored both buildings to Islamic structures.




-------------- Modern Era

1917 – Jerusalem falls to the British Empire forces after defeating the Ottoman Turks who have controlled the city since 1517. First time Christians have controlled the city in a thousand years.

1917 – The Balfour Agreement was a secret statement of British foreign policy concerning the British desire of a Jewish State. Around this period The Temple Mount becomes a symbol for both the Jews claim to a Jewish state while at the same time signifies how Arabs believed they were being forced out of the region. In turn the Muslims become extremely protective of the area and see any Jewish presence as a threat and provocation.

April 4-7, 1920– Large scale riots in Jerusalem. Instigated by Arabs in retaliation to perceived influx of Jews and in part from The Balfour Agreement.

1928 – During Yom Kippur Jewish worshippers attempt to put a bench and screens by The Western Wall. The Arabs see this is a threat to their claim to The Mount and in turn Palestine. With tensions escalating The British are forced to step in and decide that nothing can be brought in or around The Mount. It must stay exactly as it is.

1929 – The tension finally explodes and huge riots broke out over access to The Western Wall resulting in 116 Arab deaths and133 Jews with 339 wounded. The worst violence took place in Hebron after rumors spread Jews were planning on attacking the Al-Aqsa Mosq.

1947 – he British mandate ends and a civil war begins in Palestine lasting until 1948 when it escalates to the Arab-Israeli war after Israelites declare their independence. It is almost instantly recognized by the US, Iran and The Soviet Union. Iraq, Egypt, Syria and Lebanon and Jordan declare war on Israel. Jordan troops aided by Saudi Arabia, Libya and Yemen surround Jerusalem.


1949 – Armistice Agreements are signed. Jerusalem is split down the middle with Jordan controlling the east where the Temple Mount is located. Israelites were denied access to The Temple Mount and other sites.


1967 – The Six Day War is fought. Israel takes over the eastern section of Jerusalem. The defense of The Temple Mount becomes a major part of the conflict from the Arab perspective. Jewish access is restored and the Moroccan section is destroyed to provide parking spaces for visitors to the Western Wall. Israel archeologists begin digging under The Temple Mount to the outcry of Arabs.
Israel then passes the Jerusalem Laws which says it is now the capital city and all holy places will be defended against desecration. The actual Temple Mount with its Islamic holy places is allowed to be run by a Islamic group called Waqf. The UN passes a resolution “declaring the action a violation of international law.”

1969 – An Australian Christian named Michael Rohan sets fire to the Al-Aqsa Mosque. The fire does little damage but rumors quickly spread in Arab nations that it was part of a plot to destroy the area and bring about the Third Temple. Some Arab media outlets still report this as fact on the anniversary of the fire.

1981 - Alan Harry Goodman an Israeli Army recruit born American who became a Israel citizen in 1981 shot and killed 2 Arabs and injured 11 after storming into The Dome of the Rock.

1984 – An Underground Jewish terror organization called Gush Emunim attempted to destroy The Dome of The Rock with explosives. They were discovered by Israeli Shin Bet agents before the plan came to fruition and arrested.

1990 – A fringe Orthodox Jewish group called Temple Mount and Eretz Yisrael Faithful Movement attempted to lay a corner stone for the new temple. It quickly got out of control resulting in the Israeli Border Police using tear gas against worshippers and cumulated in gunfire which lasted 29 minutes. 20 Palestinians were killed and over 150 injured.



CONTINUED BELOW

Awesome history lesson!! Thanks for posting it! Personally, my view (even though I subscribe to Judaism) is that things should be left as they are until we are ALL notified otherwise by G.d Himself.

To tear it down by the hands of man will only cause more turmoil and blood to be shed and obviously that is NOT what we need more of.

(Just my .02 for what it is worth)

Nice post mate. A deeply enjoyable read!

Thanks!
Star & Flag!

IRM

That part of the world needs a huge enema.

I've often wondered if there was a huge earthquake, destroying the temple mount, dome of the rock - those places where people are fighting over 2,000 year old rocks and bricks...if that was removed, maybe the religious wars (mostly that's whats is going on...muslims vs everybody else) would stop?

Remove the root of the myth and maybe the myth will go away?

It's sad that religion is/has been the root of most of the bloodiest of wars including the ones that are going on now.

Great topic and very comprehensive posting drock905, it truly looks like an informative one which is very refreshing. Watching the "History" channel a few times made it evident that their focus was not unbiased history. Wikipedia is hit or miss on information as well. These details really fleshed out a lot of things I'd only gotten bits and pieces on before. Although it seems clear to me there's a strong link, I can also see bablyoi's point also. I do believe though, if the Temple Mount comes under seige/destruction for any reason, it would be a good time to ensure you've told your family how much you love them and be ready for our Creator. The hope is that we're doing this daily anyway.

I agree with the OP. Beautifully said. I believe that if this holy site is destoryed or if even a single piece of dust is disturbed, there will be HUGE ramifications, and rightly so.

your right...
it couldn't be the desires of militant, make-a-name for themselves, they are 'secular' men with a Jewish mother...
using the religious trappings and influences the Jewish masses hold dear, to generate acclaim & support for their warrior actions.


i protest that the zionists in-charge don't give a hoot for the religious ceremony or traditions... they care about making a dominant state for posterity to live in - almost exclusively
but the zionists in charge, will not discard the Temple & Sanhedren issues
to reinforce their policy actions... and draw both Jewish and Christian support and leeway concerning their tactics

Originally posted by kaspermartyrphantom
I agree with the OP. Beautifully said. I believe that if this holy site is destoryed or if even a single piece of dust is disturbed, there will be HUGE ramifications,

Althought I agree here,

Originally posted by kaspermartyrphantom
and rightly so.

This is where I'd like to put an exception into "rightly so" in the case for Christians. It is contra-Biblical to fight over any possession, land included:

"But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you." - Matthew 5:39-42

"If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic." - Luke 6:29

Why is that?

"Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place." - John 18:36

"But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal." - Matthew 6:20

"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." - Ephesians 4:2

There's more of course, but these are some poignant verses.

[edit on 7-1-2009 by saint4God]

Originally posted by wiseone11
That part of the world needs a huge enema.

I've often wondered if there was a huge earthquake, destroying the temple mount, dome of the rock - those places where people are fighting over 2,000 year old rocks and bricks...if that was removed, maybe the religious wars (mostly that's whats is going on...muslims vs everybody else) would stop?

Remove the root of the myth and maybe the myth will go away?

It's sad that religion is/has been the root of most of the bloodiest of wars including the ones that are going on now.

The fighting may seem silly to outsiders but to the people who are directly involved with its the furthest thing from silly.

Its the only conflict I can think of that has it roots going back to antiquity that is still relevant in the modern world. After 1500 years is it really any wonder how much passion people have for the topic on both sides?

I'm not justifying wars and attacks, but when you look at it from the ancient roots you see how both sides can kill over it and feel justified.

I would imagine that if The Temple Mount was destroyed the tensions would get even worse. The Muslims have control of the site because there are Islamic structures there. If they were destroyed I think there would be huge blattles over who would control it and what would be built there, like The Third temple. Which will be built in The Messanic Era or "the end times." As I understand it.

Just wait until the first red heifer is born in Israle and then you'll see what the temple mount is really about. There are already unconfirmed reports that a red heifer has been born but i dont know if its been substantiated.

If you know any Muslim or Arab world people -or have lived there for any amount of time- this subject comes up but with a whole different 'foundation'...
the name ISRAEL (prevailing to GOD), and otherwise the offering of the firstborn Ishmael and sacrifice of a provided sheep instead of a ram in place of Isaac.

The location Jerusalem is not named in the Quran despite its long well known status, and most of Islam don't see it as especially central or important unless in the History.
Significantly the greatest Biblical sites are all held by Arabs and aren't at all occupied nor hardly recognized by the Jewish state (New Judaea).