The Western Wall, known in the West as the Wailing Wall, and in Islam as the Buraq Wall, is a portion of ancient limestone wall in the Old City of Jerusalem that forms part of the larger retaining wall of the hill known to Jews and Christians as the Temple Mount. The term Western Wall and its variations are either used in a narrow sense, for the section of the wall used for Jewish prayer, or in a broader sense, referring to the entire 488-metre-long (1,601 ft) retaining wall on the western side of the Temple Mount.
A view of the Western Wall
Herodian ashlars of the Western Wall
Panorama of the Western Wall with the Dome of the Rock (left) and al-Aqsa mosque (right) in the background
The Western Wall and Dome of the Rock
The Buraq is a supernatural horse-like creature in Islamic tradition that served as the mount of the Islamic prophet Muhammad during his Isra and Mi'raj journey from Mecca to Jerusalem and up through the heavens and back by night. The Buraq is also said to have transported certain prophets such as Abraham over long distances within a moment's duration.
A Mindanaoan Muslim Buraq sculpture. The sculpture incorporates the indigenous okir motif.
1539-43 illustration of the Mi'raj from the Khamsa, probably created by the court painter Sultan Muhammad, showing Chinese-influenced clouds and angels. This version was created for the Persian Shah Tahmasp I.
Al Buraq (1770–75), a Deccan painting incorporating Persian elements.
Muhammad, Buraq and Gabriel observe "shameless women" being punished in Hell for prostitution.