On the first Friday of the holy month of Ramadan, 80,000 Muslims offered Friday prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, the third holiest site of Islam.
However, occupying Israel has tried to prevent the entry of Muslims there. But despite this, people went to the mosque in droves.
Israel deployed hundreds of thousands of police in Old Jerusalem ahead of Friday. However, there was no clash between the worshipers and the police.
The Gaza-based Palestinian armed group Hamas began fighting in October last year. Because of this war, Israel almost stopped the entry of Muslims to Al-Aqsa Mosque. But after the month of Ramadan, they are forced to show flexibility.
However, Israel’s Minister of Extremism Itamar Ben Givir wanted Muslims not to be allowed to enter Al-Aqsa even during Ramadan.
However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not agree to his proposal. Because Netanyahu was afraid that if the Muslims were not allowed to enter the holy mosque even during Ramadan, then there could be instability.
The Islamic Waqf, which is in charge of the maintenance of the mosque, confirmed the Nazam of more than 80,000 worshippers. Today, however, only men over 55 and women over 50 are allowed to enter Al-Aqsa.
Besides, Israel had given the obligation to take permission in advance. As a result, most Palestinians could not enter al-Aqsa on the first Friday.
