According to Jordan News, Israel has closed the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem during Ramadan, marking the first time this has happened since 1967.
Access to the Al-Aqsa Mosque has been restricted for 11 consecutive days. This decision was made for security reasons due to the conflict with Iran, and worshippers are not allowed to perform prayers.
Since the establishment of Israeli control over East Jerusalem in 1967, both the night Taraweeh prayers and the spiritual retreat of I'tikaf, traditionally held in the last ten days of Ramadan, have been canceled at Al-Aqsa.
Al-Aqsa, located on the Temple Mount in the Old City of Jerusalem, is the third holiest site in Islam and can accommodate up to 5,000 worshippers. It is part of the Al-Haram al-Sharif complex and is the site of the Night Journey of the Prophet Muhammad, often becoming the subject of religious and political disputes.
Al—Aqsa is mentioned several times in the Quran. For example, in verse 17:1 of Surah "Al-Isra," it states: "Glory be to Him Who took His Servant [the Prophet Muhammad] by night from Al-Haram Mosque to Al-Aqsa Mosque, whose surroundings We have blessed."
The Al-Aqsa Mosque ranks third in Islam after the Sacred Mosque in Mecca and the Prophet's Mosque in Medina. It is located in the southern part of the complex and has a rich history spanning over a thousand years, being an important site for Muslims since the 7th century.
Al-Aqsa was the first Qibla for Muslims. Although today Muslims face the Sacred Kaaba in Mecca, they previously prayed towards Al-Haram al-Sharif (the Noble Sanctuary) in Jerusalem. Later, the Almighty directed the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ in Surah "Al-Baqarah" to use the Kaaba as the Qibla.
The significance of the Al-Aqsa Mosque is also emphasized by the importance of prayer within it. This is confirmed by many narrations. In one hadith, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: "Offering prayer in the Sacred Mosque (in Mecca) is equivalent to one hundred thousand prayers in an ordinary mosque. A prayer in my mosque (in Medina) is equal to a thousand prayers in an ordinary mosque. And a prayer in the Al-Aqsa Mosque (in Jerusalem) is equivalent to five hundred prayers in an ordinary mosque" (Ibn Majah).
At this time…
A march in London to commemorate Al-Quds Day, held in support of Palestine for 40 years, has been banned. The government cited a threat to public order due to the "unstable situation in the Middle East" and potential clashes between opposing groups.
This is the first instance of such a march being banned since 2012, when authorities halted protests by the far-right group "English Defence League."
The Metropolitan Police insisted on banning the Al-Quds Day event, which was approved by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood.
The Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC), which organizes the demonstration, condemned this decision and intends to challenge it in court.
Details can be found here.
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