Can I visit Al-Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount on a Saturday?

October 27, 2013 1:44 PM

Can I (a non-muslim) visit Al-Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount on a Saturday?

I'm going to be in Jerusalem in a few days. Lonely planet says there are visiting hours on Saturday but most other web sources don't list Saturday as an open day for non-Muslims. Anyone have any recent experience? Thanks!

posted by nanhey to Travel & Transportation around Jerusalem, Israel (3 answers total)

I was there this summer. I didn't try to go in on a Sunday, but I did try on two separate weekdays and was turned back seemingly at random. In one case they were letting people ahead of me in and then suddenly just stopped. This is apparently not uncommon and I think related to the issues with Orthodox Jews going up to the mount to pray. So regardless of what the official visiting hours are, be prepared to be rebuffed.
posted by matildatakesovertheworld at 5:50 PM on October 27, 2013

I don't think there are any special rules saying that only Muslims can go up on Saturday.
posted by So You're Saying These Are Pants? at 9:48 AM on October 28, 2013

Best answer: Found this:

2. If you want to access the Temple Mount, and are not a Muslim, visiting times vary (but are usually restricted to three hours in the morning and one in the afternoon). The site is closed to visitors on Fridays and Saturdays.

No idea if that's true. I'll try to ask some friends who live in the Old City, and see what they know.
posted by So You're Saying These Are Pants? at 4:31 PM on October 29, 2013