Why Most Of The Holy Places In The Middle East?

[Salty80]

For example: Bethlehem, which is sanctified by Christians, Jerusalem, which is sanctified by Jews, and Mecca in Saudi Arabia, which is sanctified by Muslims? ،، Just wondering ،،

[Buenchico]

Christianity, Judaism and Islam are all Abrahamic religions (as, indeed are several other religions, such as the Baháʼí Faith). i.e. they started out as a single religion, which later diverged into many. Since that single religion had its origins in the Middle East, it's inevitable that those religions which have spun off from it will all have strong links to that region.

[barry1010]

Jerusalem is also a holy city for Christians, Jesus was crucified and resurrected there.
Mohammed visited Jerusalem on his horse, all the way from Mecca, prayed there and visited Heaven in one night, so it is a holy city to many Muslims, too and there is a very old mosque there.

Bethlehem is important to Jews as that is where King David was born and made King of Israel.
It is also important to Muslims because it is the birth place of one of Allah's greatest prophets, Jesus (ʿĪsā).

Here endeth the (very simplified) lesson. :)

[Mozz71]

Do you mean "Why are all the...." ?

Well, it's where the Bible is set innit? If the Bible was set in Bradford then then folk will be having pilgrimages to the Pennines instead.

[Gromit]

They are all connected by the Mediterranean sea, around which a fairly strong and prosperous civilisation sprung up 5000 years ago. Ancient man traded with each around the Med, and was then the centre of the civilised world.

[Khandro]

//Why Most Of The Holy Places In The Middle East?//

It isn't really true, every society on every continent on earth has holy sites; India, China, South & North Americas, Australia etc. etc. ... even Britain.

[barry1010]

Good point, Khandro. Lots of places in UK are sacred to Pagans and every civilization through the years and across the world had and has their own.

I can't help but wonder if the UKs football grounds will be considered as sacred to 21st century Britons in the future.