2-491-996 - Vivienne Sharp/Heritage Images

Al Aqsa Mosque, Jerusalem, Israel. Regarded as the third holiest site in Islam, the al-Aqsa Mosque was first established in 705. Muslims believe that the Prophet Mohammed was transported from the Sacred Mosque in Mecca to al-Aqsa during the Night Journey in c621. The mosque was twice badly damaged by earthquakes in 746 and 1033. After the latter earthquake, the mosque that stands today was built by the Fatimid Caliph Ali az-Zahir.