MIDDLE EAST: Thousands of Palestinians gather at Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem for the second Friday of Ramadan, amid heavy Israeli security

Record ID: 863090

  • Title: MIDDLE EAST: Thousands of Palestinians gather at Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem for the second Friday of Ramadan, amid heavy Israeli security
  • Date: 27th July 2012
  • Summary: JERUSALEM (JULY 27, 2012) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF AL-AQSA MOSQUE - SEEN FROM MOUNT OF OLIVES IN JERUSALEM WORSHIPPERS INSIDE AL-AQSA COMPOUND WORSHIPPERS WALKING TO MOSQUE COMPOUND VARIOUS OF ISRAELI SECURITY AT MOSQUE GATE, PEOPLE ENTERING VARIOUS OF WORSHIPPERS PRAYING WOMAN DURING PRAYER PEOPLE AT AL-AQSA COMPOUND MEN READING KORAN MORE OF PEOPLE AT THE COMPOUND PEOPLE WASHING HANDS BEFORE PRAYERS PEOPLE PRAYING AT AL-AQSA COMPOUND HEBRON, WEST BANK (JULY 27, 2012) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF MINARET OF AL-IBRAHIMI MOSQUE VARIOUS OF ISRAELI SOLDIER WATCHING WORSHIPPERS WORSHIPPERS DURING PRAYERS VARIOUS OF WORSHIPPERS PRAYING AT AL-IBRAHIMI MOSQUE
  • Embargoed: 11th August 2012 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Jerusalem, West bank
  • City:
  • Country: Palestinian Territories
  • Topics: Religion
  • Reuters ID: LVABTX34F670AGYRJPNQHTXXUBRH
  • Aspect Ratio:
  • Story Text: There was a heavy Israeli security presence in Jerusalem on Friday (July 27) as Palestinians attended the second Friday prayers of the holy month of Ramadan at Al-Aqsa mosque.
    Worshippers began arriving in the early hours of the morning for prayers at the the Noble Sanctuary (AlHaram Ashareef), known to Jews as the Temple Mount, which houses Al-Aqsa mosque - Islam's third holiest shrine.
    Israel imposed an age restriction on men taking party - only those over 40 and under 12 were allowed. Women were not restricted by age.
    Many Palestinians residing across the West Bank find access to Jerusalem is denied due to Israeli army restrictions.
    Palestinians describe the restrictions as collective punishment that has hit their economy and made travel difficult. They complain that access to holy sites, especially during Ramadan, should be guaranteed by Israel, which has occupied Arab East Jerusalem and its Old City since 1967.
    Israeli police say the restrictions are imposed for security reasons, in order to prevent attacks against the Jewish state.
    In the West Bank, worshippers gathered to pray in the Old City of Hebron.
    The Tomb of the Patriarchs, which Muslims call al-Ibrahimi mosque, is sacred to Jews and Muslims as the traditional burial place of biblical figures Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Sarah, Rebecca and Leah.
    Ramadan is the Muslim month of abstinence during daylight and is marked by festivities at night, with lanterns, balloons, firecrackers, feasts and visits to family and loved ones.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2012. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
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