Why is Jerusalem sacred to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam?

Jerusalem is a city of profound spiritual significance for the three major monotheistic religions, serving as a central site of pilgrimage and devotion for each.1

• Judaism: Jerusalem is the focus of age-old yearnings and national identity. It is home to the Temple Mount, the site where Solomon built the Temple of Jerusalem, which served as the center of ancient ritual worship and the dwelling place of the divine presence. The Western Wall, a remnant of the Temple’s retaining wall, remains a primary site of prayer and pilgrimage.123
• Christianity: The city is sacred as the location of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre was constructed over these traditional sites, marking the city as a focal point of Christian history and devotion.425
• Islam: Jerusalem is revered as the site of the Prophet Muhammad’s miraculous night journey and his celestial ascent to God (Mi'rāj). The Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa Mosque are located on the Noble Sanctuary (al-Ḥaram al-Sharīf), making the city one of the most sacred destinations in the Islamic world.4231