Eighty Thousand Palestinians Attend Friday Prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque Despite Israeli Restrictions
Mass prayer held amid heightened security and restricted access for worshippers in Jerusalem.
On March 21, 2025, approximately 80,000 Palestinians performed the third Friday prayer of Ramadan at the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem, despite significant restrictions and Israeli barriers intended to limit access to the site.
Sheikh Azam Al-Khatib, the Director-General of the Islamic Waqf in Jerusalem, confirmed the attendance figure, emphasizing the determination of pilgrims to reach the mosque.
The influx of worshippers began on Thursday, March 20, amidst heavy rainfall and ongoing Israeli restrictions.
Many had sought refuge within the mosque during the night as the last ten nights of Ramadan commenced.
According to the Islamic Waqf, the combination of severe weather and limitations imposed by authorities did not deter these individuals from gathering for prayers.
Israeli police heavily deployed forces in the Old City of Jerusalem, which encompasses the Al-Aqsa Mosque, employing increased security measures around the mosque and its surroundings.
The police presence has been particularly heightened on Fridays throughout the month of Ramadan, with over 3,000 officers assigned to the area.
Following the Friday prayers, worshippers commonly gathered in the mosque's courtyards and prayer halls for Quran recitation and educational discussions.
It is typical for thousands to remain at the mosque for iftar meals and evening Taraweeh prayers.
Since the beginning of Ramadan, Israeli authorities have imposed stringent restrictions on access to the Al-Aqsa Mosque, particularly affecting Palestinian men under 55 and women under 50 from the occupied West Bank, limiting their entry into Jerusalem to participate in prayers.
This has prevented tens of thousands of individuals from attending the mosque.
The backdrop of these events includes increased violence and military actions in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
Recent data indicates that more than 937 Palestinians have been killed, with around 7,000 injured and 15,700 arrested in the West Bank since escalations began.
Additionally, since the onset of the military operations against Gaza on October 7, 2023, reports reveal over 162,000 Palestinian casualties, predominantly among children and women, along with extensive destruction and over 14,000 missing persons.
Sheikh Azam Al-Khatib, the Director-General of the Islamic Waqf in Jerusalem, confirmed the attendance figure, emphasizing the determination of pilgrims to reach the mosque.
The influx of worshippers began on Thursday, March 20, amidst heavy rainfall and ongoing Israeli restrictions.
Many had sought refuge within the mosque during the night as the last ten nights of Ramadan commenced.
According to the Islamic Waqf, the combination of severe weather and limitations imposed by authorities did not deter these individuals from gathering for prayers.
Israeli police heavily deployed forces in the Old City of Jerusalem, which encompasses the Al-Aqsa Mosque, employing increased security measures around the mosque and its surroundings.
The police presence has been particularly heightened on Fridays throughout the month of Ramadan, with over 3,000 officers assigned to the area.
Following the Friday prayers, worshippers commonly gathered in the mosque's courtyards and prayer halls for Quran recitation and educational discussions.
It is typical for thousands to remain at the mosque for iftar meals and evening Taraweeh prayers.
Since the beginning of Ramadan, Israeli authorities have imposed stringent restrictions on access to the Al-Aqsa Mosque, particularly affecting Palestinian men under 55 and women under 50 from the occupied West Bank, limiting their entry into Jerusalem to participate in prayers.
This has prevented tens of thousands of individuals from attending the mosque.
The backdrop of these events includes increased violence and military actions in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
Recent data indicates that more than 937 Palestinians have been killed, with around 7,000 injured and 15,700 arrested in the West Bank since escalations began.
Additionally, since the onset of the military operations against Gaza on October 7, 2023, reports reveal over 162,000 Palestinian casualties, predominantly among children and women, along with extensive destruction and over 14,000 missing persons.
