250,000 Palestinians attend 2nd Friday prayers of Ramadan at Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque
Occupied Jerusalem (QNN)- Hundreds of thousands of Palestinian worshipers performed today the second Friday prayers of the holy month of Ramadan at the al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem despite Israel’s strict restrictions.
Jerusalem’s Islamic Waqf confirmed that 250,000 worshipers performed the second Friday prayers of the holy month of Ramadan at the mosque today.
Despite Israeli restrictions and freezing weather, thousands of Palestinian Muslim worshippers perform the second Friday prayer of Ramadan at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied Jerusalem, today. pic.twitter.com/So0yTJfs1n
— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) March 31, 2023
The Waqf said Palestinians from the occupied West Bank, 1948-occupied Palestine, and occupied Jerusalem succeeded in reaching the holy site and attending the Friday sermon and prayers.
Despite Israeli restrictions, thousands of Palestinian Muslim worshippers from the West Bank and the 1948-occupied territories are flowing into the Old City of Jerusalem to perform the second Friday prayer of Ramadan at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound. pic.twitter.com/Tb85X0rH4p
— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) March 31, 2023
Today is the ninth day of the Muslim holy month and also the first Friday.
Ahead of the prayers, large numbers of well-armed Israeli occupation soldiers deployed in the streets of the occupied city and at the mosque’s gates and in its vicinity.
The forces have reportedly placed temporary checkpoints in the streets of occupied Jerusalem to further tighten the restrictions on the entry of Palestinians into the holy site.
They also obstructed the movement of the worshipers to the mosque.
In pictures: Scores of Palestinian Muslim worshippers wait their turn at the Israeli military checkpoint separating Bethlehem from Jerusalem to get a chance to pray at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound on the second Friday of Ramadan, today. pic.twitter.com/pfyyoePjzh
— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) March 31, 2023
“With our souls, our blood, we sacrifice you Al-Aqsa".
Hundreds of worshippers chant slogans in support of Muslim right to the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied Jerusalem, as they wait for the gates of the holy site to open for Fajr prayer, today. pic.twitter.com/A0YmfDjVco
— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) March 31, 2023
Israeli occupation forces also prevented thousands of Palestinians from reaching the mosque to attend the prayers, local sources reported, and searched dozens others.
Palestinians who were denied entry into the city prayed at Israeli checkpoints in the West Bank in protest after they were blocked from entering the holy city.
The occupation authorities have previously ordered to prevent Palestinian men who are under the age of 55 from entering the mosque during Ramadan without an Israeli permit.
“Women of all ages, male children up to 12 years old, and men over 55 years old will be allowed to enter the Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan without a permit,” Israel’s military liaison to the Palestinians, Ghassan Alian, said in a statement.
