Jerusalem: Muslim worshippers performed the fourth and final Friday prayer of Ramadan near the Al Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem after Israeli authorities kept the holy site closed for the fourteenth day in a row. The closure came during the ongoing regional conflict involving Iran, which Israeli authorities cited as the reason for emergency restrictions.
According to the Jerusalem Governorate, hundreds of worshippers gathered at points closest to the mosque after security forces prevented access to the compound. Prayers took place near Bab Al Sahira, the Bab Al Amud area also known as Damascus Gate, and the Mohammad Al Fateh Mosque.
Israeli forces deployed heavily across the Old City and surrounding areas. Security units placed metal barriers and blocked several roads leading toward the mosque compound. Worshippers who attempted to reach the site faced strict checks and were stopped before entering the area.
The restrictions meant Muslims remained unable to perform Friday prayer inside the Al Aqsa compound for the second consecutive week. The closure also halted daily prayers inside the mosque during this period of Ramadan, one of the most spiritually important months for Muslims.
Observers noted another development during the current restrictions. Late night Ramadan prayers did not take place inside the courtyards of Al Aqsa. Local officials said such prayers had continued even during periods of tension in previous years.
Religious leaders and local authorities described the situation as unprecedented in recent decades. Reports indicated that this marked the first instance since 1967 in which Ramadan night prayers did not occur within the mosque courtyards.
Despite restrictions, worshippers gathered peacefully at nearby streets and prayer areas. Many stood shoulder to shoulder at gates and public squares to complete the weekly prayer. The gathering reflected determination among worshippers to maintain spiritual practice during the holy month.
Al Aqsa Mosque holds deep religious importance for Muslims worldwide. The site stands within the Old City of Jerusalem and attracts thousands of worshippers during Ramadan each year.
The ongoing closure and heavy security deployment around the compound have drawn attention across the region as the holy month approaches its final days.
