Jerusalem: Sacred to Muslims or Result of Political Moves Centuries Ago?

Were you aware of the following: 1. The city was never the capital of any Muslim entity
2. It was not even the capital of the Palestinian region after the Muslim conquest in the seventh century.
3. The regional capital was Ramlah.

Brief synopsis of Jerusalem’s interest to Muslims
1. Mohammed, the prophet of Islam, sought to attract to his religion three Jewish tribes living in the oasis of Kheibar near the city of Medina.
2. Toward that end he determined that the Muslim community would pray northwards in the direction of Jerusalem, just like the Jews
3. Jews said no thanks
4. After he became convinced that the Jews were not adopting Islam he annihilated them cruelly and turned the direction of prayer south towards the city of Mecca
5. He subsequently conquered Mecca, and Jerusalem was abandoned.