Tens of thousands of worshippers gathered at the Al-Aqsa Mosque on the first night of Ramadan to offer Taraweeh prayers, marking the spiritual beginning of the holy month. Despite ongoing political tensions and tight security measures in Jerusalem, large numbers of Palestinians and other Muslims filled the mosque’s courtyards and prayer halls.
The mosque, located within the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, holds deep religious significance in Islam as the third holiest site after Makkah and Madinah. Every year during Ramadan, believers travel from across the West Bank and East Jerusalem to pray at the site, though access often depends on age restrictions and permit rules set by Israeli authorities.
According to officials from the Islamic Waqf, which administers the mosque compound, security was heightened around the Old City. Israeli police were deployed at entry points, and checks were carried out before worshippers were allowed inside. In previous years, restrictions limited the number of attendees, but large crowds still managed to gather for the special nightly prayers.
Ramadan at Al-Aqsa is seen not only as a religious occasion but also as a moment of communal unity. Families prayed together, recited the Qur’an, and remained in the courtyards late into the night. The atmosphere combined devotion with resilience, as worshippers expressed hope for peace and stability in the region.
The first Taraweeh at Al-Aqsa once again highlighted the mosque’s central role in Muslim spiritual life, especially during the sacred month of fasting and reflection.
