Al‑Aqsa Mosque Has Finally Reopened To Worshippers After Israel Closed It For 40 Days During Ramadan And Eid
Large numbers of worshippers gathered at the site, many seen in tears and performing prostrations of gratitude.
Al‑Aqsa Mosque, the third holiest site in Islam, has finally reopened to Muslim worshippers after Israel closed it for a record 40 days.
Israel had closed and restricted access to Al-Aqsa mosque during Ramadan, the holiest month in Islam, due to security concerns after Israel and the US launched a war on Iran on Feb. 28, making it the mosque's longest closure since Israel occupied East Jerusalem in 1967.
Israel had also banned Palestinians from praying at Al-Aqsa on Eid for the first time in 59 years on March 20 and attacked people praying there.
Palestinian leaders, Islamic organisations and multiple governments had been calling for the mosque to reopen throughout the closure, saying that using the war as a pretext to shut down a holy site had no legitimate justification.
During the shutdown, Israeli far-right national security minister Itamar Ben Gvir entered the compound on April 6 while access remained restricted.
On Wednesday, April 8, after the US, Israel and Iran agreed to a ceasefire, the Islamic Waqf Department announced the mosque would reopen to all worshippers from dawn.
Israeli police said the reopening was based on updated instructions from the Israeli Home Front Command and announced hundreds of police officers and border guards would be stationed in the Old City's alleys.
As the gates opened with the morning call to prayer, large numbers of worshippers gathered at the site, many seen in tears and performing prostrations of gratitude in the mosque's courtyards.
About 3,000 Palestinians were able to perform the dawn prayer, Qatar Tribune reported, even with strict security measures, including ID checks, although some young men were prevented from entering and worshippers reportedly assaulted at the gates.
Israeli officials said the state of emergency remains in effect until mid-April and that the mosque’s reopening is subject to change depending on regional developments.
Shortly after the reopening, illegal Israeli settlers reportedly stormed the mosque compound, according to Al Jazeera.
Sofia Hou
Ikran Dahir
