JERUSALEM,
July 14, 2015 (WAFA) – About 350 thousand Muslim worshippers flocked Monday to
Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in East Jerusalem’s Old City to mark Laylat al-Qader.
Laylat Al-Qader, meaning the Night of Power, takes place
toward the end of the holy month of Ramadan. It is largely believed to be on
the 27th. According to Muslim belief, it marks the night the first
verses of the Quran were revealed to Islam’s prophet Muhammad.
Throngs
of Palestinian Muslims from across the West Bank flocked to mark al-Qader Night
in Al-Aqsa Mosque, passing into occupied East Jerusalem via Israeli military
checkpoints at the city entrances and around the Old City.
Compounds and hallways of the Mosque were crowded
with worshipers from all Palestinian cities and villages as well as Muslims
from other countries.
The
Islamic Endowment Authority provided over 150 thousands donated Iftar meals for
worshippers.
Palestinians
in the occupied Palestinian Territories (West Bank and Gaza) are subject to
severe Israeli movement restrictions into East Jerusalem. However, Israel has
eased restrictions ahead and during Ramadan, granting worshippers from certain
age groups permits to access the city.
At
the beginning of Ramadan, Israel allowed men above the age of 40, children
under the age of 12 and women from all ages to enter the city without permits.
It also granted permits to 500 to 800 Palestinians from the Gaza Strip to
travel to the city via Beit Hanoun crossing, also known as Erez crossing.
However,
Israel implemented new restrictions, revoking entry permits of hundreds set to
travel and only allowing men over the age of 50, children under the age of 12
and women over the age of 30 to access the Mosque compound, purportedly in the
wake of the latest string of attacks against Israeli soldiers and settlers.
Several
hundred Palestinians, mostly elderly, were allowed to travel from the Gaza
Strip into East Jerusalem via Beir Hanoun border crossing.
K.F/M.H
