Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem records 280,000 worshippers on 'Night of Power'
18 Apr 2023 05:07pm
Tens of thousands Muslim worshippers pray near the Dome of the Rock at Al-Aqsa mosque compound in the Old City of Jerusalem on April 17, 2023, on the night of 27 Ramadan, believed to be Laylat al-Qadr, one of the holiest nights during the holy fasting month of Ramadan AFP
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Jordan News Agency (Petra), citing a statement from Palestinian awqaf (endowment) department, reported that the 280,000 worshippers flooded the Al-Aqsa Mosque and its grounds on Monday night to pray, amid the strict measures imposed by the Israeli authorities.
According to the statement, Muslims came from various corners of Palestine - including the West Bank, the city of Jerusalem and other territories that have been occupied since 1948 - despite the restrictions and obstacles from the Israeli forces.
Tensions have been rising across the Palestinian territories in recent days after Israeli forces stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and forced the worshippers out for two consecutive nights on Tuesday and Wednesday earlier this month.
According to media reports, Israeli forces stormed the Al-Qibli Prayer Hall in the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex after the ‘Taraweeh’ prayers, fired explosives, hit Palestinian worshippers and detained approximately 350 people.
According to the Palestinian Commission of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs, Israeli police began releasing prisoners on the condition that they be moved from the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Old City of Jerusalem for a week.
Al-Aqsa is Islam’s third holiest site. Israel occupied East Jerusalem, the area where Al-Aqsa is located, during the Arab-Israeli War of 1967. It annexed the entire city in 1980 in a move never recognised by the international community - BERNAMA
