Lanterns and ornate decorations of Ramadan would normally be hanging in every street and alley in Occupied Jerusalem by now but not this year amid coronavirus lockdown.
Empty mosque
Only 15 worshipers attended the first Tarawih prayers of Ramadan at al-Aqsa Mosque a painful sight for the Palestinians who impatiently wait for Ramadan every year to spend most of their time at the holy site attending prayers and having iftar meals at al-Aqsa courtyards.
Imam of al-Aqsa Mosque Sheikh Omar al-Kiswani said that adhans will be called normally but prayers will be held in the presence of a small number of imams and Aqsa guards due to the coronavirus crisis.
For her part Hanadi Halawani a prominent activist who is known for her regular presence at al-Aqsa Mosque said “The closure pains our hearts. It is a tough decision indeed but it was made to save people’s lives.”
“We miss Ramadan atmosphere at al-Aqsa Mosque. But we have decorated our homes and prepared programs to read and study the Quran. We hold al-Aqsa Mosque in our hearts” she added.
Halawani continued “These worldwide lockdowns closures and movement restrictions should remind the world of the suffering the Palestinians of Jerusalem have been enduring for years.”
Ramadan decorations
Entire neighborhoods would usually be decorated in Jerusalem in Ramadan. This year decorations were limited to the doors and rooftops of a number of houses in an effort by the residents of Jerusalem to bring Ramadan’s joyful atmosphere to their city amid lockdown to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Activist and volunteer Ammar al-Seder said “We didn’t decorate the Old City and Jerusalem’s neighborhoods this year because of coronavirus. It is painful and disheartening especially with the closure of al-Aqsa Mosque.”
“I hope better days are coming. The spirit of Ramadan is not gone. I ask families to try to keep the Ramadan traditions and habits while staying at home” al-Seder continued.
Last week Jerusalem’s Islamic Awqaf Council announced that movement restrictions including closures on mosques and holy sites would continue in Jerusalem during the holy month of Ramadan as a precautionary measure to help combat the spread of coronavirus.
