The Muslim world is marked a festival on Wednesday known as Al-Israa Wal-Mi’raj.
The 27th day of the Muslim month of Rajab is the date on which, according to tradition, Muhammad traveled by night on a winged creature called Buraq, from Mecca to Jerusalem and back again in the year 631.
Mi’raj marks Muhammad’s ascension to heaven from Jerusalem, where it is believed he spoke to the earlier prophets and also to God. During his time in heaven Muhammad was told of the duty of Muslims to recite the ritual prayer five times a day.
The festival is a reminder that the Temple Mount is the third most holy site in Islam, after Mecca and Medina.
It is celebrated by telling the story of how the Muhammad was visited by two archangels while he was asleep, who purified his heart and filled him with knowledge and faith.