140,000 Worshippers Perform Eid al-Adha Prayer at Al-Aqsa Mosque
Despite heavy Israeli military restrictions, around 140,000 Palestinians gathered at Al-Aqsa Mosque to perform Eid al-Adha prayers in occupied Al-Quds.
Palestine, PUREWILAYAH.COM — Around 140,000 worshippers performed Eid al-Adha prayers at the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque on Wednesday morning despite heavy military restrictions imposed by Israeli occupation forces around the Old City and the gates of Al-Aqsa.
According to the Islamic Waqf Department, tens of thousands of Palestinians began arriving at the mosque compound since dawn to participate in Eid prayers on the first day of Eid al-Adha for the year 1447 AH.
The department estimated that approximately 140,000 worshippers attended the Eid prayer at Islam’s third-holiest site despite ongoing occupation measures and military pressure.
Thousands Defy Israeli Restrictions to Pray at Al-Aqsa
Israeli occupation forces intensified their military deployment around the entrances to the Old City and Al-Aqsa Mosque, erecting checkpoints, inspecting identification cards, and preventing many Palestinians from entering the holy site.
Despite the restrictions, massive crowds filled the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque in a strong display of Palestinian steadfastness and attachment to the holy sanctuary.
Earlier, the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem and the Palestinian Territories and Chairman of the Supreme Fatwa Council, Sheikh Mohammad Hussein, announced that Eid al-Adha prayers for the year 1447 AH would be held at 6:10 a.m. according to Jerusalem local summer time.
Israeli Forces Arrest Worshippers and Waqf Official During Eid Prayers
During the Eid gathering, Israeli occupation forces arrested Islamic Waqf Department employee Firas al-Dibs from inside Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Occupation forces also arrested a young Palestinian woman near Bab Hutta after assaulting her and forcibly removing her hijab.
The arrests came amid heightened Israeli military measures across occupied Al-Quds during Eid al-Adha, as occupation forces continued restrictions targeting Palestinian worshippers at Al-Aqsa Mosque. (PW)