A Palestinian woman hangs laundry in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Ras al-Amud overlooking Masjid Al-Aqsa, the third holiest shrine for Muslims. Palestinians clashed with Israeli security forces after Israel announced on March 9 that it plans to build 1,600 new houses in East Jerusalem. Masjid Al-Aqsa is considered sacred as Muslims believe that the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, was transported from the Sacred Mosque in Makkah to Al-Aqsa during Miraj (the Night Journey). Muslims also believe that the Prophet led prayers facing towards this mosque until God ordered him to turn towards the Kaaba. Jerusalem is sacred to all three monotheistic faiths – Christianity, Islam and Judaism. Due to punitive travel restrictions and permit system, Israel routinely denies entry into Jerusalem to both Christians and Muslims and Muslims are denied the right to worship in Masjid Al Aqsa.