- Birthplace of Jesus: According to the Gospels, Jesus was born in Bethlehem, a city near Jerusalem.
- Crucifixion: Jerusalem is widely believed to be the site of Jesus's crucifixion and resurrection. Many important Christian holy sites are located in the city, including the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, which houses the tomb where Jesus is believed to have been buried.
- Early Church: Jerusalem was a crucial center for the early Christian community and many events from the Acts of the Apostles took place there.
For Muslims:
- First Qibla: Before Mecca was designated as the Qibla, the direction Muslims faced during prayer, early Muslims faced towards Jerusalem (specifically, the Al-Aqsa Mosque).
- Night Journey: In Islamic tradition, Jerusalem is where the Prophet Muhammad began his miraculous Night Journey (Lailatul Miraj) - a spiritual journey to the heavens where he met significant religious figures and received important revelations.
- Third Holiest Site: Although not mentioned by name in the Quran, Islamic scriptures reference the "Farthest Mosque" which many regard as being the Al-Aqsa Mosque/Haram al-Sharif and consider it to be the third holiest site in Islam, after Mecca and Medina.
