[Andyman]

8. Jews pray facing Jerusalem. Muslims pray with their backs toward Jerusalem.

I can't speak to the first point, but can for the second. Muslims pray towards Mecca. The only Muslims who pray with their backs toward Jerusalem are those who happen to be in a line facing southeast between Jerusalem and Mecca at the time. It would also be true to say that MORE Muslims face Jerusalem during prayer than have their backs turned to it, because those in Turkey would be facing both, as would those who live in Saudi Arabia, southeast of Mecca.

[sobieski]

According to the book "Islam" by Karen Armstrong, the Muslims first prayed towards Jerusalem. It was later changed to Mecca. I don't know if the Koran mentions Jerusalem, but there are some Muslim connections. Isn't Muhammed believed to have ascended to heaven from there?