al-Aqsa Mosque Exterior - Jerusalem
Al-Aqsa Mosque is one of the holiest sites in Jerusalem and the city itself is regarded as the third most holy city in the Muslim world after Mecca and Medina. The name al-Aqsa means ‘farthest mosque’, a reference to the journey Muhammad is believed to have made on his way to heaven to receive instructions from Allah. Al-Aqsa, a mosque considered to be the third holiest site in Islam after Mecca.
Originally a small prayer house was built by the caliph Umar, but it was rebuilt and expanded by the Umayyad caliph Abd al-Malik and finished by his son al-Walid in 705 CE.
The current mosque was rebuilt and completely renovated the mosque between 1034 and 1036. the mosque was converted into the residence of the kings of Jerusalem after the Crusaders took the city in 1099 CE. Fakhariyya Minaret of the mosque is the very first minaret of the mosque and it was built in 1278 on the southwestern corner of the mosque. During the early eighth century, Al-Aqsa’s original seventh-century structure was razed in favor of erecting a larger mosque.
Dome of the Al-Aqsa Mosque was made of aluminum and it looked like silver but now weather element had reduced its colour. Mosque’s al-Kas ablution fountain in front of the main door. It was built in the Mamluk period in the 14th century and it is used for ablution before syaing prayers in the mosque.
