Nabi Musa, meaning “The Prophet Moses” in Arabic, holds significant religious and historical importance in the Judean Desert. Situated near the Jerusalem-Jericho road and overlooking the northern edge of the Dead Sea, this site is steeped in both biblical and Islamic tradition. While the Hebrew Bible does not specify the exact burial place of Moses, the site of Mount Nebo in Jordan is associated with his final resting place. However, Nabi Musa has emerged as a site of Muslim pilgrimage and celebration, particularly unique for being the only Muslim event observed according to the Gregorian solar calendar, aligning with Easter and Passover.

Historically, Nabi Musa gained prominence as a stop on the pilgrimage route from Jerusalem to other significant Christian sites such as The Baptism site in Qasr El-Yahud, Mount Nebo, and Madaba in today’s Kingdom of Jordan. Originally established by the Ayyubid ruler Salah-e-Din (Saladin) in the 12th century after the Muslim reconquest of the land from the Crusaders, the site grew in importance under Mameluke rule in the 13th century. 

During the 1980’s the site was deserted. After the Oslo Accords agreement reached between the State of Israel and the Palestinian Authority, the site came back into the hands of the Muslim high religious council, the ‘Waqf’.

Architecturally, Nabi Musa is characterized by its rectangular fortress-like structure with multi-floor external walls topped by domes. Inside, a central courtyard surrounded by arched pillars creates a serene space for reflection and prayer. Although the site’s significance to Muslims is undeniable, the authenticity of the tomb of Moses is more to faith and tradition rather than research and fact.