Old Jerusalem – Diversity in Harmony

Religion is an integral part of present Jerusalem, be it Jewish, Christian or Muslim.Even if you are a non-religious tourist, you can’t ignore religion in Jerusalem. The three mayor world religions are present at every corner of the city and you constantly cross over from Jewish to Christian to Moslem dominated areas. Even the administrative-political division are, at least for a tourist, hardly visible. Despite the recent political intents to favour one political force (and by this its religion) daily life in Old Jerusalem seems to be quite harmonious.Approaching the old city walls in December 2017 the latests move of US-President Trump to move the US-Embassy to Jerusalem was welcomed on official buildings. The City Wall of Jerusalem , which surrounds Old Jerusalem was built during the Ottoman Empire in the 16th century. Above two of the six main gates, the Jaffa Gate with the Tower of David and the Damascus Gate. From the Jaffa Gate you walk down busy alleys into the Jewish quarters. Not so busy in early mornings…View to the Temple Mount with the al-Aqsa Mosque and the Western Wall in the front. The term Western Wall and its variations are mostly used in a narrow sense for the section traditionally used by Jews for prayer; it has also been called the “Wailing Wall”, referring to the practice of Jews weeping at the site over the destruction of the Temples. I will not go in detail on the various religious sites. Tourist guide books do a better job. I just want to give an insight from a photographers point of view. First impressions from the “Wailing Wall”.and the Cave- Synagogue attached to the “Wailing Wall”.Walking from the “Wailing Wall” towards the Damascus Gate you very soon cross the Via Doloras. The Via Dolorosa (Latin for “Painful Way”, often translated “Way of Suffering”) is a processional route believed to be the path that Jesus walked on the way to his crucifixion. On the way, getting on the roof of the Austrian Hospice, another view on the Temple MountThe Vial Dolorosa ends at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The Church is the Center of the Christian Quarters of Old Jerusalem. The church contains, according to traditions dating back to at least the fourth century the two holiest sites in Christianity: the site where Jesus Christ was crucified and  and Jesus’ empty tomb, where he is said to have been buried and resurrected. The tomb is enclosed by a 19th-century shrine.Today, the wider complex accumulated during the centuries around the Church of the Holy Sepulchre also serves as the headquarters of the Greek Orthodox Church. Other demoninations share the property as well. I believe I observed an Armenian procession. Now, finally a visit to the Muslim Site. Access is very limited to a few hours the day. You have to walk up the wooden stairs on the right of the “Wailing Wall”.

Al-Aqsa Mosque is the third holiest site in Islam. The mosque was built on top of the Temple Mount.

Members of other religions are not allowed into the Mosque. Compared to the two Christian and Jewish sites it felt deserted. And we had to leave after 30 minutes.

Leaving the Mosque you pass a guard from the Palestinian National Authority. You realize once again, that Old Jerusalem is part of East Jerusalem which was occupied by Israel in 1967. Back to politics and the real world…