Zionist Forces Stop Palestinians Attending Friday Prayers at Al-Aqsa
The occupying regime’s forces cited lack of permits to prevent the Palestinians from entering the mosque, RT Arabic reported.
Makeshift barriers were installed at some of the mosque’s gates to prevent access.
Local media said that Israeli authorities stopped those under 50-years old from entering Al-Aqsa, checking the identities of worshippers and detaining some of them.
Al-Aqsa compound was shut twice for several months after the coronavirus pandemic hit Palestine in March. The first closure was in mid-March until 31 May, while the second in September lasted for a month, reopening on 18 October.
Al-Aqsa is one of the holiest sites in Islam. Muslims believe that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) ascended to heaven from there, as mentioned in the Quran. It was also Islam's first Qibla, the direction towards which Muslims must turn to pray, before being changed to Mecca.
