OCCUPIED JERUSALEM, (PIC)
At least 40,000 Palestinian worshipers performed Friday prayer at the Aqsa Mosque in Occupied Jerusalem, despite Israeli restrictions.
According to the Islamic Endowments Department in Jerusalem, around 40,000 Muslims performed the Friday prayer at the holy shrine.
The Israeli forces arrested a young man and an elderly man near Aqsa gates and prevented their access to the Mosque.
A heavy contingent of Israeli police was deployed at the entrances, surroundings, and alleys of the city, as well as at the external gates of the Mosque.
The Israeli police blocked several roads leading to the Old City of Jerusalem and hindered the movement of Palestinian citizens.
Israeli authorities also imposed more restrictions on West Bankers’ entry to the Aqsa Mosque compound.
During the Friday sermon, Aqsa preacher, Sheikh Ikrima Sabri, confirmed that dangers are still threatening the holy shrine, especially during the Jewish holidays.
He further pointed out that the Israeli officials’ raid into the Mosque aims to change the status quo there and encourages extremist Jewish groups to escalate their provocative break-ins and violations.
He also stressed that the Aqsa Mosque is a trust in the hands of two billion Muslims in the world.
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 Israeli siege imposed on it.
