Christian, Jewish visits to Temple Mount resume

JERUSALEM — For only the second time in three years, the Temple Mount, revered by Jews, Muslims and Christians, is open to visits by non-Muslims. Since Aug. 20, hundreds of Jews and Christians have visited and prayed on the Mount, which Muslims call Haram al-Sharif.

At the moment, non-Muslims may visit between 9 and 11 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, but not on Friday, the Muslim sabbath. Once the home of the First and Second biblical Temples, the Temple Mount stands above the Western Wall and contains the Holy of Holies, Judaism’s most sacred site. It is also the site of the Al Aqsa Mosque, the third holiest place in Islam.