Holy Land

The term "Holy Land" refers to areas in the Southern Levant that are very important to the Abrahamic religions, mainly because of their links to people and events in the Bible. This land is also called the Land of Israel or the Promised Land in religious texts, and it lies between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River. Today, it mainly includes the modern countries of Israel and Palestine. The religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam all hold deep spiritual meaning for this region.

Jerusalem is a city of great importance in the Holy Land. It is the most sacred city for Judaism and Christianity, and the third most sacred for Islam, after Mecca and Medina. The Temple in Jerusalem, including Solomon's Temple, was the main place of worship for ancient Israelites and Jews. According to the Bible, Jesus of Nazareth was brought to Jerusalem as a baby and spent much of his life there. In Islamic tradition, Muhammad traveled from Mecca to Jerusalem during a special night journey before ascending to heaven.

Throughout history, the Holy Land has been the center of many conflicts and wars because of its religious importance. During the Middle Ages, Christian pilgrims traveling to visit sites connected to Jesus and his followers helped start the Crusades. In more recent times, the rise of Zionism, a movement aiming to establish a Jewish homeland in this region, led to the creation of the state of Israel in 1948. Since then, the area has been deeply affected by the ongoing Israeli–Palestinian conflict.

People of many faiths continue to visit the Holy Land as pilgrims. They travel to see important religious places and to deepen their connection to their beliefs. Some sites, like the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, are shared and managed by different groups, following agreements that prevent changes to their status. These visits help strengthen the spiritual experiences of many people around the world.

Judaism

Jews often call the Land of Israel "The Holy Land." This idea comes from ancient Jewish writings that say this land is special because it was given to the Israelites by God. Many important religious rules can only be followed in this land.

The city of Jerusalem is especially important because it was where a special temple once stood. Many Jews believe it is a holy place to be buried. Even today, some Jews who live far away choose to be buried there.

Christianity

See also: Christian pilgrimage, Travelogues of Palestine, Jerusalem in Christianity, and List of Christian holy sites in the Holy Land

For Christians, the Holy Land is special because it is where Jesus was born, lived, was crucified, and resurrected. Christians believe Jesus was the Messiah and the incarnation of God. Many important places connected to Jesus and his followers are kept for people to visit and for support of local communities. The Catholic church collects money each year to help these special places.

Christian books, including many Bibles, often show maps of the Holy Land. These maps include areas such as Galilee, Samaria, and Judea. One famous book by a German pastor named Heinrich Bünting included a map of the Holy Land and was very popular. Today, the Holy Land includes parts of modern Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, western Jordan, and southwestern Syria.

Islam

The Holy Land is very important in Islam. The Quran calls it Al-Ard Al-Muqaddasah, meaning "Holy Land". It is where Muslims believe Prophet Musa, or Moses, told the Children of Israel to go. Jerusalem, called Al-Quds in Arabic, is especially important. Muslims believe that Prophet Muhammad made a special journey by night from Mecca to Jerusalem. This journey is known as Isra and Mi'raj.

Jerusalem was the first direction Muslims faced when they prayed, known as the Qiblah, but this was later changed to face the Kaaba in Mecca. The Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem is a very important place in Islam. It is believed to be where Muhammad tied his animal, Buraq, and prayed before going to heaven with the angel Jibril, or Gabriel. Different scholars have different ideas about exactly which lands are considered the Holy Land, but they often include areas such as Syria, Lebanon, Damascus, Palestine, and parts of Jordan.

See also: Jerusalem in Islam and Syria (region)

Baháʼí Faith

The most important places for people who follow the Baháʼí Faith to visit are the Shrine of Bahá'u'lláh and the Shrine of the Báb. These special places are in the cities of Acre and Haifa, and they are recognized as important World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.

Bahá'u'lláh, the founder of the Baháʼí Faith, lived near Acre after being moved there in 1868. He wrote about wanting the slope of Mount Carmel to hold the Shrine of the Báb. His successor, 'Abdu'l-Bahá, built this shrine in 1909, starting beautiful terraced gardens. Later leaders, like Shoghi Effendi, and the Universal House of Justice, added more buildings. Today, the Bahá'í World Centre serves as the heart of the religion, and its gardens are famous and enjoyed by many visitors. A film called The Gardener made in 2012 showed these gardens.