More Than 80 Thousand Crowded Congregants Of Al-Aqsa Mosque On The Second Friday Of Ramadan Despite Israel's Restrictions

JAKARTA - More than 80,000 worshipers perform their second Friday prayers in the holy month of Ramadan at the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex in occupied Jerusalem, although Israel limits the entry of worshipers.

Israeli occupation forces are known to have imposed strict measures at the entrances and gates of Al-Aqsa and Jerusalem's Old City.

The Islamic Waqf Department in occupied Jerusalem reported that around 80,000 worshipers performed their second Friday prayers in the holy month of Ramadan at the Al-Aqsa Mosque, quoted from WAFA March 14.

Despite the restrictions, pilgrims flocked from various regions, especially from the occupied 1948 and Jerusalem regions. The occupation forces only allowed a small number of worshipers from the West Bank province to enter occupied Jerusalem.

The mosque Yard witnessed the large presence of Israeli occupation forces and police, which tightened their security measures at the mosque gates and prevented large numbers of youths from entering efforts to limit the number of worshipers.

Meanwhile, Israeli police said prayers ended peacefully and without unusual incidents, despite fears of unrest during the holy month due to tensions in Gaza, quoted by The Times of Israel.

In a statement ahead of Friday's Prayers last week, the Israeli Prime Minister's Office said it would grant entry permits to Jerusalem to "a small number of Muslim worshipers" from the West Bank.

Although the Prime Minister's Office did not disclose how many West Bank residents were granted permits, proposals issued by Israeli security officials reportedly recommended a limit of 10,000 people.

As in the month of Ramadan last year, Israel only allowed Palestinian men aged 55 years and over, women aged at least 50 years, and children 12 years and under to enter the city for Friday prayers.