You are correct, Gary...

Submitted by J.S. (Canada), Jun 12, 2006 at 18:13

The term "Jerusalem" is NOT mentioned in the Koran. Instead, the name for Jerusalem (as mentioned in the koran) is Aelia. Prior to Islam, there was Pagan Rome. Emperor Hadrian (a Pagan Roman) decided he wanted to make Jerusalem into a Pagan City. So he built Pagan temples. But, this wasn't enough. Hadrian re-named Jerusalem as "Colonia Aelia Capitolina." This term "Aelia" (which refers to Jerusalem) you can find in the Koran (it's the term the Prophet used). Hadrian also renamed the Holy Land as "Syria Palaestina" (later becoming "Palestine"). Hadrian's re-naming was done so as to de-sacralize and de-Judenize the area. (it's been pretty successful, I guess...even up to the 1920s-40s Jews were known as "Palestinians".) Hadrian's attempt to make Jerusalem Pagan did lead to the Bar Kochba Rebellion (132 - 135 Common Era.).

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