Friday Prayers Banned at Al-Aqsa Mosque

Israeli authorities have imposed a ban on Friday prayers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque. According to officials, worshippers will not be allowed to gather at the mosque for Jumu’ah prayers on Friday. Authorities also warned that legal action may be taken against anyone who violates the restriction.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the Israeli administration said that Friday prayers would not be held at Al-Aqsa Mosque this week. The decision was reportedly taken due to the ongoing tensions and security concerns related to the conflict surrounding Iran.

Brigadier General Hisham Ibrahim, head of the Israeli Civil Administration, said all holy sites in the Old City of Jerusalem will remain closed on Friday. These include the Western Wall, Al-Aqsa Mosque, and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. No worshippers, tourists, or visitors will be allowed to enter these sites.

Al-Aqsa Mosque is located in occupied East Jerusalem and is considered one of the holiest sites in Islam. After the Six-Day War in 1967, Israel took control of Jerusalem. Since then, tensions surrounding the control and status of the holy site have continued.