Tens of thousands of Palestinians performed Eid al-Fitr prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque on Sunday morning, despite restrictions imposed by the occupation forces.
The Islamic Endowments Department in Jerusalem reported that 120,000 worshippers performed Eid al-Fitr prayers at the holy mosque.
The occupation forces set up iron barriers around the Old City and its gates, and on the streets and entrances to Jerusalem, and were heavily deployed at the Damascus Gate, the Asbat Gate, and the Sahara Gate.
Occupation forces deployed around the Old City and Al-Aqsa Mosque, imposing restrictions on the passage of worshippers at the mosque’s gates after performing Eid prayers.
The mosque’s courtyards witnessed a large turnout of residents of Jerusalem and the occupied Palestinian territories, who performed the dawn and Eid prayers. They chanted Eid takbeers in the city’s streets, the Old City, and inside the mosque.
Al-Aqsa Mosque preacher Sheikh Yousef Abu Sneineh spoke about the month of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr, and the necessity of Muslims adhering to the Eid rituals.
He pointed out the special nature of the holidays in Palestine and Jerusalem, saying: “Unfortunately, the holidays come upon us while we are trying to rejoice. But if we look at the conditions of Muslims here in this blessed land, we see destruction, displacement, and destruction.”
He added, “People have coveted us, and others have dared to attack us. Even our children are suffering from grief, sadness, and panic and fear.”