An estimated 250,000 Muslims held the last Friday of Ramadan prayer at Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque amidst tight Israeli restrictions, particularly at checkpoints leading to the occupied city, the Islamic Waqf (Endowment) Department said. This morning, the occupation forces intensified their military restrictions at the Qalandia military checkpoint and impeded Palestinians’ access to Jerusalem to perform the last Friday prayers of Ramadan at al-Aqsa Mosque. It further denied male worshipers below the age of 55 entry to the city. In Jerusalem, Israeli police reportedly placed iron barriers in the streets and alleys of the Old City, at most of the mosque’s gates, and Bab al-Amoud area, impeding worshippers’ access. Thousands are preparing to stay behind tonight to celebrate Lailat Al-Qadr, Islam’s holiest night that marks the night the Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammad which falls within the last ten nights of Ramadan. The end of the holy month of Ramadan will most likely fall on Thursday night April 20.
Source: Palestine News & Information Agency (WAFA)