Within the old city of Jerusalem stands the Temple Mount also known as Al- Aqsa Mosque a holy site for Jewish, Christian and Muslim.
The Temple Mount is built on top of a mountain according to Jewish tradition, called Mount Moriah – the most sacred place for the Jewish people where they belive the Foundation Stone is set- the spot from where the world was created. In addition the Temple Mount is where it was believed Abraham had built the altar on which to sacrifice his son Isaac. According to Jewish law, this is the place where their Temple can be built in the future so they pray in the direction of the Temple Mount three times a day,
Al Aqsa is the third holiest site for Muslims after Mecca and Medina. In addition it is the second oldest mosque in Islam, and one of the three Sacred Mosques. Muslims believe that it is the site where the Prophet Muhammad led his fellow prophets in prayer following a miraculous night journey from Mecca to Jerusalem and then ascended to the heavens to speak with God. The site, and the term "al-Aqsa", is also a central identity symbol for Palestinians.
Christians and Jews may only visit the site as tourists only for four hours per day five days a week. They have one gate they can enter through as opposed to the Muslims who have 9 gates to enter Al Aqsa each day and time they seek. Religious Jews entering the Temple Mount are not allowed to pray or do any Type of religion worship and so the site remains a place of active worship only for the Muslims. The Israeli government enforces this as part of an arrangement usually referred to as the "status quo”. The site remains a major focal point of the Arab–Israeli conflict. Although Israel claims political sovereignty over the compound, custodianship remains with the Waqf an Islamic council that controls the site. As such, Israelis and Palestinians cautiously eye each other for any tilt in the status quo. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict represents rival claims to the same territory and both sides rely on history to make the case for whose roots in the land run deepest. In my documentary project I would like to examine the connection of two different but similar nations to one land. The desire and and longing of both sides of the equation for spirit and holiness
And their way of holding on to the spirit by the materiality.
This story is about land, history, religion and belonging.