DaysofPal- In an unprecedented scene not witnessed in decades, Palestinians welcomed Eid al-Fitr this year under a heavy silence, as the traditional calls of “Allahu Akbar” were absent from the Al-Aqsa Mosque, a place that typically overflows with life and worshippers during such occasions.
This absence was not ordinary, as it came as a result of strict Israeli measures that prevented thousands of worshippers from performing Eid prayers in the courtyards of Islam’s first qibla.
The scene left a deep emotional impact on Palestinians, who viewed the closure of Al-Aqsa during one of the most significant religious occasions as a serious escalation affecting their fundamental religious and human rights and raising pressing questions about the future of conditions in Jerusalem.
According to local Jerusalem sources, Israeli authorities continued to keep Al-Aqsa Mosque closed for extended periods during the month of Ramadan, including its final ten days, before also preventing the holding of Eid al-Fitr prayers in its courtyards.
This measure deprived thousands of Palestinians of performing their religious rituals during one of the holiest times of the year.
The closure reportedly began on February 28 and extended to both Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Old City, under the justification of a declared state of emergency linked to regional developments, an explanation many Palestinians see as a pretext for imposing a new reality on the ground.
Despite the closure, Palestinians continued to observe their religious practices. Widely circulated footage showed worshippers performing evening and special Ramadan prayers near the mosque’s gates, particularly in the area of Bab al-Asbat, in a clear expression of their determination to remain connected to Al-Aqsa despite mounting restrictions.
At the same time, Israeli forces reportedly attempted to disperse worshippers in the vicinity of the mosque compound and removed one of its guards, moves that residents described as
With Eid prayers banned inside Al-Aqsa, the mosque’s preacher called on residents of Jerusalem, Palestinians inside the occupied Palestine, and those in the West Bank to head toward the mosque’s surroundings and perform prayers at the nearest possible location, reaffirming their attachment to the site and refusal to submit to the closure.
The decision to prevent Eid prayers sparked widespread anger on social media platforms, where activists described the move as a dangerous escalation targeting Islamic holy sites and restricting freedom of worship.
Worshippers also described the period as “the harshest Ramadan and Eid” they had experienced, particularly given the unusual sight of Al-Aqsa’s courtyards standing empty, an image that left a profound psychological and spiritual impact.
Many also questioned the absence of effective international action, arguing that statements of condemnation alone do little to change the situation and may instead enable further restrictive measures.
For his part, Jerusalem affairs researcher Fakhri Abu Diab stated that the closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque and the prevention of Eid prayers should not be viewed as a temporary or purely security-related step, but rather as part of an accumulated policy aimed at imposing new realities on the ground.
Abu Diab said that prolonged closures, especially during sensitive religious seasons, carry clear indications of attempts to reduce Palestinian presence at the mosque and gradually weaken public attachment to it.
He added that one of the most concerning aspects of these measures is the testing of reactions, both at the popular and official levels, warning that the absence of concrete steps to halt such policies may encourage their repetition in the future.
Shortlink for this post: https://daysofpalestine.ps/?p=73148
