Why is Jerusalem So Holy for So Many?

Jerusalem isn’t just a city—it’s a heartbeat. It has been at the center of faith, history, and longing for thousands of years. For Muslims, Christians, and Jews alike, its ancient streets and towering walls hold the stories of prophets, prayers, and promises. It’s home to the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and Al-Aqsa Mosque—three places of worship that connect billions of people to something greater than themselves.

For Muslims, Al-Aqsa is more than just a mosque—it’s a sacred place, the third holiest site in Islam. It’s where the Prophet Muhammad is believed to have ascended to the heavens on the Night Journey. And during Ramadan, Al-Aqsa takes on an even deeper meaning—a space for gathering, reflection, and prayer in the holiest month of the year.

But here’s the reality: for many Palestinians, reaching Al-Aqsa is a painful struggle. Every year, thousands of worshipers—elders, women, children—are turned away at military checkpoints, blocked from a place that should be open to all. Worshiping freely isn’t a privilege—it’s a basic human right. And yet, for so many Palestinians, that right is denied over and over again. Holding onto faith becomes an act of resistance in itself.

Jerusalem is special because it connects people—not just to their faith, but to each other. It’s a city filled with history, resilience, and the belief that things can be better. And at its heart is a simple truth: everyone deserves the right to pray, to belong, to find peace.

So, as Ramadan begins and the call to prayer echoes through the hills of Palestine, we send our warmest wishes to everyone observing this sacred month. May your fasting be easy, your prayers be powerful, and may the doors of Al-Aqsa always be open to those who seek its peace.

Ramadan Mubarak. Happy Ramadan.