Muslims pray in streets as access to Jerusalem holy site remain closed

Record ID: 2367924

  • Title: Muslims pray in streets as access to Jerusalem holy site remain closed
  • Date: 20th March 2026
  • Summary: JERUSALEM (MARCH 20, 2026) (REUTERS) OLD CITY OF JERUSALEM AS SEEN FROM MOUNT OF OLIVES VARIOUS OF EMPTY AL-AQSA MOSQUE COMPOUND, FOLLOWING ISRAELI RESTRICTIONS VARIOUS OF MUSLIMS CHANTING RELIGIOUS SLOGANS ON FIRST DAY OF EID, AS THEY ARE HOLDING EID PRAYERS IN STREETS OF JERUSALEM VARIOUS OF PALESTINIANS AND MUSLIMS PRAYING IN STREETS AS ENTRANCE TO AL-AQSA MOSQUE REMAIN
  • Embargoed:
  • Keywords: Eid Israel Jerusalem prayers worshippers
  • Location: JERUSALEM
  • City: JERUSALEM
  • Country: Jerusalem
  • Topics: Religion/Belief,Society/Social Issues
  • Reuters ID: LVA001577520032026RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Muslim worshippers prayed in the streets outside the Al-Aqsa compound on Friday (March 20), to mark the first day of Eid Al-Fitr as access to the mosque, also known to Jews as the Temple Mount, remains restricted amid the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran.
    Eid al-Fitr prayers, a significant religious observance marking the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting and prayer, is celebrated with community prayers, feasts, and acts of charity, symbolizing gratitude and unity among Muslims worldwide.
    The closure of the compound started in the second week of Ramadan, when tens of thousands of Palestinian Muslims would normally pray every night and on Fridays at the mosque, which is considered the third-holiest site in Islam.
    Resident of Jerusalem, Hamzeh Morar, expressed his wishes for the holy site, saying, "I hope the Al-Aqsa mosque will be opened soon, so we can visit and pray inside it so it won't stay empty, because when we look from here, it's weepy that Al-Aqsa is empty, and is empty from worshippers."
    Police say the restrictions are aimed at preventing mass casualties in the densely packed Old City, where narrow streets and large religious gatherings could complicate emergency responses.
    The compound has been empty for the past three weeks as the conflict with Iran continues, and restrictions on gathering in large groups curtailed movement.
    The Muslim holiday comes as Iran and Israel continue launching attacks back and forth during the current conflict that first broke out on February 28.
    (Production: Sinan Abu Mazer, Roleen Tafakji)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2026. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
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