jerusalem has been sacred to judaism for roughly 3000 years, to christianity for around 2000 years, and to islam for approximately 1400 years. the 2000 statistical yearbook of jerusalem lists 1204 synagogues, 158 churches, and 73 mosques within the city. despite efforts to maintain peaceful religious coexistence, some sites, such as the temple mount, have been a continuous source of friction and controversy.