- i24NEWS
- Middle East
- 180,000 pray peacefully in Jerusalem for first Friday of Ramadan
180,000 pray peacefully in Jerusalem for first Friday of Ramadan
Al-Aqsa mosque is one of the flashpoints of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the scene of frequent clashes
![i24NEWS](https://cdn.i24news.tv/upload/image/1352b9caa849f9325c12157cf9dfc47bc0e3c73e.png?width=36&height=36)
![Tens of thousands of Palestinians attend the first Friday prayers of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan outside the Dome of the Rock at Jerusalem's al-Aqsa mosque compound on June 2, 2017](https://cdn.i24news.tv/upload/image/afp-0a404ebed57757c7ea9965acea28ded816428c9b.jpg?width=1000)
Some 135,000 Muslim worshipers prayed at the Al-Aqsa mosque in East Jerusalem for the first Friday of Ramadan, Jerusalem Islamic Waqf organization said.
Some streets in East Jerusalem were shut down to accommodate traffic to the conflict-embroiled area known to Jews as the Temple Mount compound.
Israeli authorities meanwhile put the number at some 135,000.
"On the Temple Mount, 135,000 people took part in the first Friday prayers of the Ramadan. Police units carried out security measures," Israel Police foreign spokesman Micky Rosenfeld tweeted.
75,000 traveled through various border crossings from the West Bank.
Police also warned that they would "act decisively against anyone who tries to disrupt the peace," and encouraged worshipers to adhere to police orders.
Israeli restrictions on Palestinians in the West Bank are eased during the month of Ramadan, which began on Monday.
Men over the age of 40 and children under 12 were allowed to enter the city on Fridays during Ramadan, while there were no restrictions on women, the Israeli army announced.
https://x.com/i/web/status/1126817109584039936
This post can't be displayed because social networks cookies have been deactivated. You can activate them by clicking .
Entry permits for Palestinians in the West Bank were issued according to the discretion of Israel's Ministry of Defense.
Muslims believe the Al-Aqsa mosque compound is where the prophet Muhammad was transported from Mecca before ascending to Heaven. It is the third holiest site in Islam.
Jews believe the Temple Mount is where the first and second temples once existed, with some right-wing Israeli citizens and lawmakers demanding the right to worship in the area currently under the custodianship of the Waqf, the Islamic endowment body tasked with managing the Dome of the Rock compound, where Al-Aqsa stands.