Israel Restricts Muslim Congregation Access To Al-Aqsa Mosque On Friday During Ramadan Based On Age

Al-Aqsa Mosque Complex. (Wikimedia Commons/Andrew Shiva)

JAKARTA - Israeli authorities restricted access to the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem on Friday during the Holy Month of Ramadan by age, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said on Thursday.

A statement said "a number of Muslim worshipers" would be allowed in by last year's arrangements starting Friday without specifying the amount.

Those allowed were men aged 55 years and over, women aged 50 years and over and children to the age of 12, quoted from Reuters March 7.

The worshipers must also go through a security check, the statement continued.

"It is emphasized that there is no limit on Israeli Arabs," the statement said.

Al-Aqsa Mosque is located in the heart of Jerusalem's Old City, on a hill known to Jews as Har ha-Babyt, or Temple Mount, while international Muslims call it al-Haram al-Sharif.

Muslims consider this place the third holiest place in Islam, after Mecca and Medina. Al-Aqsa is the name given to the entire complex and is home to two Muslim holy places: the Batu Dome and the Al-Aqsa Mosque which were built in the 8th century.

This Friday is the first Friday of Ramadan 1446 H. Israeli police will deploy three thousand personnel in East Jerusalem occupied ahead of the mosque's first Friday prayers in Ramadan this year.

Last month, Israel placed its troops on high alert and deployed three thousand troops on the roads to the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound.

Palestinians view these restrictions as part of Israel's broader policy to audit East Jerusalem, including the Al-Aqsa Mosque, and remove Arab and Islamic identities in the region.