Jerusalem is the second holiest place in Islam, not the third.

Submitted by Issam (Canada), Sep 15, 2007 at 04:53

The Aqsa is only one of 2 mosques, along with the Restricted Mosque (Kaaba), to be specifically mentioned in the Quran. It's therefore, the second holiest place in Islam.

Glory to ((Allah)) Who did take His servant for a Journey by night from the Sacred Mosque to the farthest Mosque the place whereof We have blessed,,- in order that We might show him some of Our Signs: for He is the One Who heareth and seeth (all things). [17:1}

God also refers to the farthest Mosque in 17:7.

God says in the Quran that the Farthest Mosque (Aqsa Mosque) is in a "Blessed Place". The only place that God has blessed in the Quran is Palestine or modern day Israel. So this should end the debate.

This is further supported by many Hadiths and Historians (Tabari). So with all due respect to Mr. Pipes, the Muslim claim to Jerusalem is very legitimate. This, however, does not deny the Jews claim to Jerusalem.

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Daniel Pipes replies:

Only problem with this theory is that Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem was constructed decades after the Koran, in fulfillment of its mention. I fail to see how, given that history, it is made particularly holy by the Koran.