JAKARTA - Around 50,000 worshipers performed the Isya and Tarawih prayers of Ramadan 1447 Hijriah on Sunday evening at the Al-Aqsa Mosque Complex, Jerusalem, Palestine despite restrictions and increased measures imposed by the Israeli occupation on the access of worshipers.
The Jerusalem Provincial Government said in a brief statement, tens of thousands of worshippers flocked to the Al-Aqsa Mosque and performed prayers, despite Israeli military checkpoints and identity checks at the mosque's gates, reported WAFA (23/2).
Israeli forces have increased their military presence in Jerusalem and its surroundings, including at the gates of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, in an effort to limit access to worshippers.
According to the Provincial Government, over the past few days, more than 300 Jerusalem residents have received orders prohibiting them from entering the Al-Aqsa Mosque during the Holy Month of Ramadan.
The Israeli media Haaretz reported that Israeli police broke with years of custom to coordinate with the Waqf. There were also reports that the Waqf was banned from installing temporary sun and rain shelters and health posts.
Thousands of people in the occupied West Bank will not be able to attend prayers due to restrictions that Israel says are for security reasons.
Those entering from the West Bank are restricted to men over 55 years of age, women over 50 years of age, and children under 12 years of age. Israel says it will grant permits to 10,000 Palestinians from the region to enter the mosque this year, a fraction of the number who attended to commemorate the event in previous years.
WAFA reported that Palestinians holding "special permits" were denied entry into Jerusalem at checkpoints in Qalandia and Bethlehem.
There has also been tension over police easing restrictions on religious Jews visiting the compound during Ramadan. Status quo agreements typically impose restrictions on visiting non-Muslims, especially during religious holidays.
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