The Imam of Al-Aqsa Mosque, Sheikh Ikrima Sabri, called on Monday for people to journey to Al-Aqsa before sunset on the upcoming Wednesday to mark the 27th night of Ramadan.
اضافة اعلان
In a statement, Sabri emphasized the importance of utilizing the night for prayers, night vigils, and good deeds within the sacred grounds of Al-Aqsa.
Sabri’s call comes amid increasing restrictions by the Israeli occupation aimed at limiting access to the mosque during Ramadan, including preventing worshippers from engaging in I'tikaf (spiritual retreat) on the Thursdays and Fridays leading up to the last ten days of Ramadan.
Sabri also urged Arab and Islamic countries to intensify their efforts, strengthen their positions, and unite their ranks to protect Al-Aqsa from the looming dangers it faces.
Since the outbreak of the war on Gaza on October 7, 2023, Israeli authorities have prevented Palestinians from the West Bank from reaching Jerusalem and praying at Al-Aqsa. The Israeli police announced additional security reinforcements in Jerusalem for the month of Ramadan and allowed only a very limited number of West Bank residents to pray at Al-Aqsa, under strict security conditions.
Palestinians view these restrictions as part of the Israeli occupation’s intensified measures to Judaize Jerusalem and take control of it, including Al-Aqsa, amidst the rapid expansion of settlements, forced displacement, and a military escalation in the West Bank following the genocidal war on the Gaza Strip.
