In the initial days of Islam, Mohammed at first asked people to pray towards Jerusalem. He asked the Jews to convert, which as any religion knows, is usually futile..;) This is the start of the animosity..but that would explain why the mosque points the way it does..it's very old..

I wish I'd said that.. The Staircase Wit

anahl nathrak uth vas betude doth yel dyenvey..;)