Jerusalem, the holy city for Jews, Christians, and Muslims, has been a site of tension and conflict for decades. However, in a heartwarming display of religious tolerance and unity, about 90,000 Palestinians gathered at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem’s Old City for the first Friday prayers of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. This was made possible under the tight security provided by Israeli forces.
Thousands of Palestinians from the West Bank were allowed to enter Jerusalem for the prayers, with Israel granting permission to men over 55 and women over 50. This was a momentous occasion for many Palestinians who had not been able to enter Jerusalem since last Ramadan, due to the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war in October 2023. The Israeli government had blocked Palestinians from crossing into Jerusalem or visiting Israel during this time.
But now, with the fragile ceasefire in place since mid-January, Palestinians were finally able to make their way into Jerusalem to pray at Al-Aqsa Mosque. This mosque holds great significance for Muslims as it is believed to be the site where the Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven. It is also located on the Temple Mount, which is a holy site for Jews and Christians as well.
In Gaza, thousands also gathered for communal prayers at the Imam Shafi’i Mosque, which had been heavily damaged by Israeli forces during the war. This mosque, along with many other buildings in Gaza, serves as a reminder of the devastation caused by the conflict. But despite the destruction, the spirit of Ramadan prevailed as Muslims fasted from dawn until sunset, showing humility, submission to God, and compassion for the poor and hungry.
In a heartwarming gesture, Palestinians in Gaza decorated the rubble of destroyed buildings with festive Ramadan lights and set up communal tables for hundreds of people. Aid groups also served iftar, the meal that breaks the daily fast, to those in need. This is a true testament to the resilience and generosity of the Palestinian people.
The Friday prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem were a truly special and emotional experience for many Palestinians who had traveled long distances to reach the holy site. Nafez Abu Saker, who came from the village of Aqraba in the northern West Bank, said it took him three hours to travel the 45 kilometers to Jerusalem through Israeli checkpoints. But for him, the reward of praying at Al-Aqsa Mosque was worth the difficult journey. “The reward of prayer here is like 500 prayers, despite the difficulty of the road to get here. It brings a great reward from God,” he said.
Ezat Abu Laqia, also from Aqraba, echoed this sentiment, saying that the difficulty of the journey was nothing compared to the reward of praying at Al-Aqsa Mosque. The Islamic Trust, which oversees the Al-Aqsa compound, reported that 90,000 people attended the prayers on Friday. To ensure the safety and security of the worshippers, the Israeli police had deployed thousands of additional officers in the area.
The Old City of Jerusalem, where Al-Aqsa Mosque is located, has been the site of clashes between Palestinians and Israeli police in the past. However, on this day, there was no sign of any tensions or conflicts. This is a testament to the power of religious unity and the peaceful coexistence of different faiths.
The Old City is part of East Jerusalem, which was captured by Israel along with the West Bank and Gaza Strip in the 1967 Mideast War. Since then, Israel has annexed the sector, despite the Palestinians’ desire for it to be part of their future independent state. The issue of Jerusalem’s status has been a major point of contention in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but the peaceful gathering at Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan is a ray of hope for a peaceful resolution.
While the Friday prayers were a significant moment of celebration and unity, the Palestinian worshippers faced delays and difficulties at the Qalandia checkpoint on the edge of Jerusalem. Many were turned away because they did not have the proper permits or because the checkpoint had closed. This was a disappointing experience for those who had traveled far to attend the prayers.
The first phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire brought some relief as 25 Israeli hostages held by militants in Gaza were released, along with the bodies of eight others. In return, nearly 2,000 Palestinians imprisoned by Israel were also freed.
