Built
by Caliph Abd al-Malik in memory Yazid, the dead son
of the Muslim king Mu'awiyah, the Dome of the Rock
has stood for centuries as an architectural beacon
in a land where historic avarices have reduced most
other great structures to rubble. It was constructed
half a century after the death of the Prophet Muhammad
on the location where the Koran says he made his Miraaj
(Night Journey) into the heavens and back to Makkah
(Surah 17: Ayah 1). Unfortunately, the Dome of the
Rock is not serving its intended purpose. Rather than
uniting the three religions that descended from Abraham
-- Judaism, Christianity and Islam -- the factions
fight over ownership of the land it stands on. From
a secular standpoint, the dome is a wonderful piece
of art and architecture. It was inspired by the Aya
Sofya Cami'i in Istanbul,
but stands out more because it it is constructed of
wood, instead of stone, so it doesn't need as much
support structure. The facade is porcelain, light
colored at the top and gradually darkening toward
the bottom where it rests on an octagon-shaped marble
base. This was originally glass, not porcelain, but
the glass does remain in the 16 stained glass windows
that allow the light to enter. The dome's gold-covered
25-meter cupola reflects all angles of the Mediterranean
sun, casting beams of golden light on those who would
look at it. It is said that is one faithfully recalls
the tenants of the Islamic faith, then the Dome of
the Rock can be appreciated on an entirely different
level. It is said to be the root of many major themes
in Islamic art and culture. It's geometry, location,
dimensions, and even its colors hold the keys to the
Islamic faith and impart a deeper spiritual meaning
for the truly faithful. The Dome is also symbolic
in its geography. It is considered the center of the
Earth, and because of that there are exits leading
north, south, east, and west. During its construction,
it was hoped that the Dome of the Rock would be so
glorious that it would divert the streams of pilgrims
from going to Mecca. To make this happen, the Caliph
spent all of the taxes in Egypt for seven years to
have it built. Being a holy location to three religions,
it is not surprising that this is not the first temple
built on the spot. Solomon built his temple here,
which was destroyed by king Nebuchadnezzar. That was
followed by Herod's temple which was leveled by the
Romans. But the Dome of the Rock has managed to stay,
in spite of attacks physical, spiritual, and political.
