The Dome of the Rock

The Dome of the Rock

Essentially unchanged for more than thirteen centuries, the Dome of the Rock remains one of the world’s most beautiful and enduring architectural treasures. Adorned with its magnificent gold dome and elaborate quranic inscriptions, the structure intimately represents the world’s second largest religion in a city historically associated with the three Semitic faiths. Representation, however, is not the only effect of this site. Despite its intended purpose, the Dome of the Rock inherently stands as the focal center of a millennium-old religious controversy. Located on what is essentially the world’s holiest site (obviously a speculative assertion) and inscribed with proclamations of Islamic religious superiority, the Dome symbolizes far more than Muhammad’s ascension to heaven.

Since the Dome’s completion in 691 C.E., the building’s image has consistently inspired passionate debate, mass rioting, and even armed conflict among both practicing religious groups and politically charged individuals. Perched atop Jerusalem’s Temple Mount, the image of the Dome has been interpreted in a variety of ways by a powerful assortment of groups. Specifically, we find that the historic structure acquires most of its significance in the eyes of practicing Jews and Muslims – as well as some Christian fundamentalists. Muslims and Jews, however, are not the only groups who have also asserted themselves in this historic arena of conflict. Over the centuries, political bodies have also attempted to exert influence – both interpreting and manipulating its image in an attempt to serve their own agenda. In the following text, I will analyze the ways in which different religious groups (primarily Muslims and Jews) and political entities interpret the image of the Dome. In doing so, I hope to uncover the significant factors of the image that have historically maintained controversy and conflict within Jerusalem, as well as abroad.

Before we begin to analyze the traditional and contemporary ways in which different religious sects and political entities interpret the image of the Dome, we must first objectively and systematically deconstruct its image. While the structure takes on different meaning depending on one’s personal religious or political slant, the Dome does present a clear, objective message that was certainly intended by its creato...

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...politics, and military conquest. Regardless of its perceived meaning, the Dome’s potent image must be respected and understood. In Living Together Separately, Romann and Weingrod describe the current atmosphere surrounding the Dome each day:

“The sights and sounds testify to a kind of ongoing competition. Pressed tightly within the same small space, Muslim minarets rise above Christian bell towers, Israeli flags and rebuilt synagogues announce the renewed Jewish presence in their own historic quarter, while the peal of church bells clashes with the muezzin’s call to prayer. But there is more than the mere cacophony of sounds or blending of colors. Zealots, true believers, fanatics of all kinds thrive in this holy atmosphere. Religious extremism flourishes in Jerusalem’s clear air, and the merging of the ‘heavenly’ with the ‘earthly’ city continues to nourish conflicting sentiments and periodic outbursts of open conflict.”

In a city with the potential to explode at any point, the image of the Dome stands at the center. In light of its multiple interpretations, this potent icon of faith stands upon fragile ground – its existence dependant on all those who observe its image.