OCCUPIED JERUSALEM (Palestine Foundation Information Center) Approximately 80,000 Palestinian worshipers gathered today to perform the third Friday prayer of Ramadan at Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem, defying heavy rainfall, biting cold, and Israeli-imposed access restrictions.
The mass turnout came in response to widespread calls across Palestine urging people to intensify Palestinian presence at the Mosque during the holy month of Ramadan.
Worshipers from within the Green Line organized bus convoys from the city of Rahat, and made their way to Occupied Jerusalem.
Thousands also arrived from the West Bank via the Qalandiya checkpoint, many facing long delays and intrusive checks by Israeli forces.
In the early hours of the morning, worshipers gathered in large numbers to perform the Fajr (dawn) prayer at Al-Aqsa, despite freezing temperatures and a heavy security presence. The turnout formed part of the “Great Fajr” campaign—a coordinated call for mass dawn prayers in mosques across the West Bank and Jerusalem, particularly at Al-Aqsa and the Ibrahimi Mosque in al-Khalil, in solidarity with Gaza.
Despite the stringent obstacles imposed by Israeli forces—including checkpoints, age-based restrictions, and arbitrary denials of entry—tens of thousands of Palestinians successfully reached Al-Aqsa, underscoring their unwavering commitment to religious freedom and the protection of Islamic holy sites.
Calls have continued for Muslims to observe i’tikaf (religious retreat) at Al-Aqsa throughout the month of Ramadan, with organizers urging a sustained presence to counter any potential attempts at encroachment or Judaization by Israeli authorities and settler groups.
For his part, the Imam of Al-Aqsa Mosque, Sheikh Ekrima Sabri, has called upon worshipers to travel to Al-Aqsa Mosque and observe i’tikaf (spiritual retreat) throughout the days of the holy month of Ramadan.
Sheikh Sabri emphasized that Al-Aqsa Mosque warmly welcomes all those who wish to observe i’tikaf. However, he noted that the Israeli occupation has denied the majority of Palestinians the right to partake in these religious practices within the Mosque.
Meanwhile, Jerusalem-based initiatives have called for mass mobilization and i’tikaf at Al-Aqsa Mosque and its courtyards starting from Thursday, in preparation for the final ten days of Ramadan.
Sources have confirmed that the Mosque is expected to remain open around the clock during this period.
On Thursday, the Moroccan Gate (Bab al-Maghariba) was closed to tourists and settlers until the end of Eid al-Fitr, effectively suspending all settler incursions for approximately two weeks.
It is worth noting that the Israeli authorities had previously banned i’tikaf on the nights of Friday and Saturday before the final ten days of Ramadan, and issued expulsion orders against dozens of Palestinians from Jerusalem and areas within present-day Israel. Palestinians from the West Bank have also been barred from entering, except on Fridays, and even then under strict and limited conditions.
