RELIGION-RAMADAN/SECURITY Palestinians head for Jerusalem to hold Ramadan prayers

Record ID: 151819

  • Title: RELIGION-RAMADAN/SECURITY Palestinians head for Jerusalem to hold Ramadan prayers
  • Date: 19th June 2015
  • Summary: RAMALLAH, WEST BANK (JUNE 19, 2015) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF PEOPLE AT QALANDIA CHECKPOINT BETWEEN JERUSALEM AND RAMALLAH SECURITY AT CHECKPOINT WOMAN SHOWING ID TO SECURITY PERSONNEL PEOPLE CROSSING CHECKPOINT BETHLEHEM, WEST BANK (JUNE 19, 2015) (REUTERS) SIGN READING IN ENGLISH, ARABIC AND HEBREW: 'BETHLEHEM' AND 'RACHEL'S TOMB' VARIOUS OF PALESTINIANS AT CHECKPOINT CHECKPO
  • Embargoed: 4th July 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA2JC5V1EXZPKKYY1DFFTWLHMAI
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: West Bank residents crossed on Friday (June 19) the checkpoints separating them from Jerusalem on their way to Ramadan's first Friday prayers at Al-Aqsa mosque, the third holiest in Islam.
    The Al-Aqsa compound includes the octagonal Dome of the Rock, which was built by Jerusalem's Arab conquerors in 691 on the spot where Muslims say the Prophet Mohammad began his Night Journey to heaven.
    Like in previous years, Palestinian police worked alongside Israeli border police to control the crowd at Qalandia, Ramallah's checkpoint and at Bethlehem checkpoint.
    Israeli border police also positioned its force in several key locations across Jerusalem's Old City, where the Al-Aqsa compound is located.
    Israeli Police spokesman, Micky Rosenfeld, said that all necessary security arrangements for the Palestinians to come through have been finalised.
    "The Israeli Police have completed final security measures that will be implemented in and around the Old City throughout the day. We're expecting thousands of Muslims to come in from different areas such as Ramallah, Bethlehem and Hebron. This has been done in full coordination, and extra police units will be in and around different areas to make sure that everyone comes in the Old City without any problems. But, at the same time we will respond if necessary to any security-related issues," Micky Rosenfeld said.
    Resident of Kafr al-Deek village in the West Bank, who came to pray in al-Aqsa mosque, Sha'lan al-Deek said that they entered the city without any problems.
    "We came to pray in Al-Aqsa mosque. Because this is the first Friday in the holy month of Ramadan, we wanted to see the atmosphere of Ramadan in Jerusalem, and how the situation looks like. Thanks god, we entered, with full respect," Sha'lan al-Deek said.
    Al-Aqsa stands on Israeli-controlled land that may be the most disputed religious spot on earth.
    Jews call the raised ground at the eastern edge of Jerusalem's Old City the Temple Mount, while Muslims know it as the Noble Sanctuary. Both claim sovereignty over it.
    Israel seized East Jerusalem and the West Bank from Jordan in a 1967 war.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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