2017-12-08 Fri

1,300-years-old Muslim coins and vessels have been discovered by researchers featuring the Jewish symbol menorah. The artifacts belong to the Umayyad dynasty and these items were found at archaeological sites in Israel which are now being showcased publically.

Coins depicting an early Islamic inscription referring to the Dome of the Rock as "Beit al-Maqdis" were discovered last year. Experts believe that the "Nuba inscription" indicates that during the early days of Islam, Muslims considered the shrine as an Islamic version of the Temple of Solomon.

The menorah is a gold seven-branch candelabra from the Temple. The coins feature Shahada Arabic inscription on one side which translates to "There is no god but Allah". Menorah appears in the center. The other side features an inscription which translates to "Muhammad [is the] messenger of God.’"

Many pottery and lead vessels from this period also featured the same symbol. Experts hope that these finds will lead to dialogue between Jews and Muslims.