---
category: Landmark
summary: The El Aqsa Mosque is located on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, considered
  by Muslims to be the holiest place after Mecca and Medina.
tags:
- Location
- Landmark
- Religion
- Jerusalem
---

The [El Aqsa Mosque](/places/el-aqsa-mosque/) is located on the Temple Mount in [Jerusalem](/places/jerusalem/), considered by Muslims to be the holiest place after Mecca and Medina. It is built over a rock imprinted with a footstep said to be that of the Prophet Mohammed, who ascended to heaven from that spot.[^1]

In August 1969, the [El Aqsa Mosque](/places/el-aqsa-mosque/) was the target of an arson attack carried out by [Michael Dennis Rohan](/people/michael-dennis-rohan/), an [Australian](/places/australia/) member of the Church of God. [Rohan](/people/michael-dennis-rohan/) believed that destroying the mosque was necessary for the rebuilding of the Third Temple and the return of Christ. This act outraged Muslims worldwide and led to calls for a jihad against [Israel](/places/israel/). [Ari Ben-Menashe](/people/ari-ben-menashe/) played a role in exposing [Rohan's](/people/michael-dennis-rohan/) involvement and his connections with the [Jewish Defense League](/organizations/jewish-defense-league/) (JDL).[^1]

[^1]: Ben-Menashe, Ari. *Profits of War: Inside the Secret U.S.-Israeli Arms Network*. TrineDay, 1992.