Al-Quds Al-Sharif is distinguished from any other historic city for its universal value. It is home to the most sacred religious shrines in the world, including Al-Aqsa Mosque/Al-Haram Al-Sharif, and Al-Buraq Wall also known as the Western Wall.

Al-Quds Al-Sharif holds great significance for Palestinians, who view it as a symbol of their political sovereignty and cultural identity, representing their national pride and patriotism.

Its material and spiritual components have been interacted with by the Palestinian people throughout their history, and they have remained steadfastly attached to it.

Despite attempts to suppress Palestinian national expressions of Al-Quds Al-Sharif, it has been, and continues to be, a central subject matter for Palestinian artists, carrying deep historical and religious significance.

In addition, Al-Quds Al-Sharif has always been considered as the epicenter of Palestinian resistance, self-determination and identity. The historic city is the religious and cultural foyer of Palestinian heritage both tangible and intangible.

Al-Quds Al-Sharif is also significant for Arabs and Muslims, representing pride and dignity, and standing witness to an age-old history and a great civilization edified by this Ummah.

It is the first Qibla set for Muslims, the third holy precincts, and the cradle of divine messages. The Palestinian people see themselves as the guardians and heirs of the history and architecture of the city, including its mosques, churches, walls, and fortifications, among other historical sites.

Al-Quds Al-Sharif is an ancient city with a rich history, established over 35 centuries ago, with its core established on a plateau in the mountains of Al-Quds Al-Sharif.

Its significance is apparent in the names given to it over time, including Orushalem, Jebus, Aelia Capitolina, Al-Quds, and Bayt Al-Maqdis. The city is home to a wealth of historical monuments and sites that place it in a privileged position among other history-rich cities.

Its religious importance stems from its status as the city from which Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) ascended to the heavens on his Nightly Journey, and it is also significant for Christians due to the Church of the Resurrection, built-in 335 AD.

The Al-Aqsa Mosque is one of the most important historical and archaeological landmarks of Al-Quds Al-Sharif, with its abundance of praying areas and religious and cultural landmarks.

It is the first of the two qiblas and the third of the two holy sites, the destination of the Nightly Journey, and the beginning of the Ascension of Prophet Mohamed.

Its full surface area, as encircled by walls, is 144 dunams, above and below ground, occupying one-sixth of the entire surface area of the Old City of Al-Quds Al-Sharif.

The Al-Aqsa Mosque holds two hundred landmarks built over different periods of Islamic rule, including the ‘Umari Mosque, the Marwani prayer esplanade, the Dome of the Chain, the Dome of the Ascension, the Dome of Solomon, and other praying areas and domes. (ILKHA)