Worshippers Return to Al-Aqsa Mosque After 40-Day Closure

At dawn
on Thursday, the doors of the Al-Aqsa Mosque were reopened to Palestinian
worshippers after a 40-day closure imposed by the Israeli occupation. Footage
circulating online showed worshippers streaming into the mosque courtyards,
expressing their joy at returning to perform religious rituals after a long
interruption.

Video
clips also documented cleaning and organizing efforts carried out by volunteers
and mosque custodians in the courtyards and prayer halls, in preparation for
welcoming worshippers.

The
Islamic Waqf Department in occupied Jerusalem confirmed in a brief statement
that the mosque doors would open starting from Thursday’s dawn prayer, without
providing details regarding any potential entry restrictions.

The
reopening followed an announcement by the Israeli occupation on Wednesday
evening of its readiness to reopen Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Church of the Holy
Sepulchre in Jerusalem, after both had been completely closed since February
28, due to the war with Iran.

The
Israeli occupation police reported deploying hundreds of officers and border
guard forces in the alleys of the Old City and on roads leading to the holy
sites, claiming these measures aim to “secure visitors.”

Over the
past six weeks, Jerusalem and its holy sites have witnessed strict security
measures and repeated closures, amid a high state of alert imposed by the
Israeli occupation due to regional tensions with Tehran.

(Source:
Al Jazeera)

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