After five weeks of bans and closures… 100,000 worshippers perform Friday prayers at Al-Aqsa
In a scene that brought Al-Aqsa Mosque back to life after a 40-day closure, tens of thousands of worshippers gathered to perform Friday prayers, marking the first prayer there following a five-week ban.
The Islamic Waqf Department estimated that around 100,000 worshippers attended the Friday prayer. The prayer halls, courtyards, and arcades of Al-Aqsa were crowded with worshippers from Jerusalem and the Palestinian territories, and the roads leading to the site were also bustling.
Before and after prayer, the roads leading to Al-Aqsa were heavily trafficked, spilling into the markets of the Old City—scenes not seen during the closure.
Worshippers likened this Friday prayer to the atmosphere of Eid, as families arrived from the early morning hours to perform the prayer, and the influx to the mosque continued throughout the day for the obligatory prayers.
Worshippers expressed their happiness at the return of prayer by prostrating in thanks and taking photos and videos in the courtyards. Activities like circles for remembrance, Quran memorization, and religious lessons resumed at Al-Aqsa, reestablishing its usual spiritual atmosphere.
Meanwhile, eyewitnesses reported that police prevented some worshippers from entering the mosque, even though no expulsion orders were given. Police also made arrests of worshippers from Jerusalem and the Palestinian territories within Israel, with around five being detained and later released on the condition that they stay away from Al-Aqsa Mosque.
The occupation authorities closed Al-Aqsa Mosque shortly after the US-Israeli war on Iran began, and worshippers were expelled from the site from day one. This closure happened during Ramadan, stopping Muslims from performing I’tikaf (spiritual seclusion) and observing the holy nights, such as Laylat al-Qadr. Additionally, worshippers were prevented from celebrating Eid prayers and barred from Friday prayers for five consecutive weeks.
