jerusalem is islam's third holiest city, after mecca and medina in saudi arabia. according to muslim tradition, muhammad originally selected jerusalem as the qibla: the direction muslims should face during prayer. however, he later told his followers to face mecca instead of jerusalem when praying. muhammad is said to have gone up to heaven from a stone now covered by a golden-domed shrine called the dome of the rock. the dome of the rock and the ancient al-aqsa mosque are among the holiest sites in islam. they are the main buildings on the temple mount, which muslims call "haram al-sharif" (noble sanctuary).