Jerusalem: A City Loved by Christians, Muslims, and Jews

Jerusalem in the documentary Jerusalem is presented as a city that is home to three main groups today. Over several years Jerusalem has been conquered 40 times and been called home by several people. In Jerusalem, it is said that one of the most significant features drawing several people to Jerusalem is water. The city has Gihon Spring which is the main source of water. “Gihon” can be translated as “gushing” which is what the spring continues to do today. However, the focus of the City’s significance to the groups going to be discussed find Jerusalem to be attributed to religious history. it is currently divided into quarters housing three religious groups. These three groups are Christians, Muslims, and Jews as they all view Jerusalem as not only their home but geographically significant to their religious history and backgrounds. 

The city holds holy sites that are important to each group. For Jews, the Western Wall is very important as it is the last wall standing surrounding the Temple Mount. It is a place where they might go to pray and leave written prayers, which are believed to pass through the wall and reach God who answers them. For Christians, Jerusalem is home to the Rock of Golgotha where it is believed that Jesus was crucified. The Rock of Golgotha can be located in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre where Christians go to worship and hold special religious rituals such as the Holy Fire. Finally, for Muslims, The Dome of Rock is sacred as it is a Mosque built around the spot where the Prophet Muhammad was taken up into heaven to speak with God. 

In Jerusalem, there are three different girls representing these three religious groups and talking about where they live and their cultural and religious customs. They are portrayed as having recognized each other as different but hoping that they can all come to understand each other. Towards the end of the documentary they all seem to agree that if the different quarters and religious groups talked to each other they might be able to understand and perceived each other a little better.