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Closure barred five Friday prayers in March-April; worship resumed on sixth Friday
Palestinians gather near the Dome of the Rock on the fourth Friday of the holy month of Ramadan on Al-Aqsa compound, also known to Jews as Temple Mount, in Jerusalem's Old City, April 14, 2023. REUTERS
Thousands of Palestinian worshippers gathered at Al-Aqsa Mosque for the first Friday prayers after a closure that lasted more than five weeks. Israel announced on Wednesday that it would reopen Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in occupied East Jerusalem starting Thursday morning, allowing access for the first time in 40 days following restrictions imposed during the US-Israeli war on Iran. Following 40-day closure, tens of thousands of Muslim worshippers fill Al-Aqsa Mosque for first Friday prayer since February 28, while some Israeli security forces are present at site pic.twitter.com/K7YpWfRLIw Large crowds began arriving in the early morning hours, filling the mosque’s courtyards with men, women, children, and elderly worshippers in a reflection of Palestinians’ eagerness to return after a prolonged absence. Read More: Pakistan condemns Israeli minister's storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque During the closure, Palestinians were barred from performing daily prayers, including five consecutive Friday prayers on March 6, 13, 20, and 27, and April 3. Worship resumed on the sixth Friday. Israeli authorities had closed both sites since February 28, citing security measures during the US-Israeli war on Iran. They also prevented Eidul Fitr prayers from being held at Al-Aqsa this year for the first time since Israel occupied East Jerusalem in 1967.
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