OCCUPIED JERUSALEM, (PIC)
At least 30,000 Palestinian worshipers performed Friday prayer at the Aqsa Mosque in Occupied Jerusalem, despite Israeli restrictions.
According to the Islamic Endowments Department in Jerusalem, around 30,000 Muslims performed the Friday prayer today at the holy shrine.
Tens of thousands of worshipers headed to the holy site since the morning hours to perform Friday prayer.
A large contingent of Israeli police was deployed at the entrances, surroundings, and alleys of the city, as well as at the external gates of the Aqsa Mosque.
In the Friday sermon, the preacher of the Aqsa Mosque, Sheikh Muhammad Hussein, called for protecting and defending the holy shrine in light of the growing Israeli settler attacks and schemes.
Sheikh Hussein warned of the serious implications of the settlers’ attacks and violations against holy sites in Occupied Jerusalem, stressing that “the Muslims’ inaction gives them green light to commit more violations against the Aqsa.”
He further stressed that the Palestinian people will not allow settler groups to implement their schemes in Aqsa in reference to settlers’ plans to raise 500 Israeli flags at the holy site during the so-called “Independence Day” on May 14.
Earlier Friday, thousands of Jerusalemites performed the Fajr prayer at the Aqsa Mosque despite the Israeli security restrictions at its gates.
A group of Jerusalemite campaigners and activists earlier called for performing the Great Fajr prayer on Friday in the Aqsa Mosque’s courtyards and staying at the holy site to demand lifting the siege imposed on it.
