JERUSALEM, Thursday, May 28, 2020 (WAFA) – After around two months of forced closure due to the coronavirus pandemic, Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, the third holiest site in Islam, will reopen for worship starting Sunday, according to the Islamic Waqf department in Jerusalem, which is in charge of the Mosque.

It said in a statement that, however, worshippers will be required to abide by certain health-related rules in light of the pandemic, including wearing masks, bringing their own prayer rugs and standing a distance of two-meters apart, in addition to other precautions.

The closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque has prevented hundreds of thousands of Muslims from worshipping there during the holy fast month of Ramadan, which ended on Saturday.

The Palestinian Authority allowed on Monday the reopening of all mosques and churches, including the Church of Nativity in Bethlehem, the birth place of Jesus Christ, as it eased the lockdown imposed to control of the corona pandemic, while urging worshippers to take the necessary precautions to prevent return of the disease.

The Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem’s Old City, the site of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, reopened its doors on Sunday after closing for two months.

M.K.