Occupied Quds – Saba:
Around 40,000 Palestinian worshippers performed Friday prayers today at the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque and its courtyards, despite heightened restrictions and checkpoints imposed by Israeli occupation police at the mosque’s gates.
According to Quds-based sources, worshippers flocked from towns and cities across the occupied Palestinian interior, the West Bank, and Quds' Old City to attend the prayers, the Sanad news agency reported.
The sources added that Israeli occupation police tightened measures on those arriving, thoroughly inspecting the IDs of young men, denying entry to some, and delaying the entry of dozens more.
Calls from Quds activists and religious leaders continued to urge residents of the city and the occupied Palestinian interior to mobilize, head to Al-Aqsa Mosque, and take part in ribaat (steadfast presence) in its courtyards, in a bid to thwart the schemes of the Israeli occupation and its settlers.
These calls emphasized the need for mass attendance to counter the occupation’s attempts to limit the number of worshippers, stressing the importance of heading to Al-Aqsa in large numbers after its reopening and performing prayers there.
They considered this a practical step to confront Israeli measures and break attempts to isolate the mosque from its religious and popular surroundings.
Activists noted that maintaining ribaat at Al-Aqsa during this critical time represents popular steadfastness in the face of escalating Israeli aggression and sends a clear message that Al-Aqsa Mosque is a red line that cannot be crossed, regardless of circumstances or challenges.
| more of (International) |