FATWA URGES EID PRAYERS NEAR AL-AQSA MOSQUE AMID ONGOING CLOSURE

Tue 17 March 2026:

Sheikh Ekrima Sabri, the preacher of Al-Aqsa Mosque and former Mufti of Jerusalem and the Palestinian territories, has issued a fatwa (religious ruling) calling on Muslims to perform Eid prayers at the nearest point to Al-Aqsa Mosque, which has been closed for more than two weeks.

Palestinian platforms reported that the ruling urges all Muslims to head towards Al-Aqsa Mosque and pray as close to it as possible. It also calls for mosques across Jerusalem to be closed and for Eid prayers not to be held inside them.

Israeli forces prevented worshippers from observing Laylat al-Qadr at Al-Aqsa Mosque on Sunday, as the site remained closed for the 17th consecutive day. Hundreds of people were forced to mark the night, which falls on the 27th day of Ramadan, outside the mosque’s walls.

Worshippers performed Isha and Taraweeh prayers in the streets near Bab al-Sahira and Bab al-Amud in Jerusalem’s Old City, which was under a full lockdown. Israeli forces were heavily deployed, carrying out searches and reported harassment of residents in the area.

__________________________________________________________________________

https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAtNxX8fewmiFmN7N22

__________________________________________________________________________

Meanwhile, member states of the Arab League strongly condemned the continued closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque by Israeli authorities, saying it prevented worshippers from performing prayers and religious rituals, particularly during the holy month of Ramadan and its final ten days.

-MEMO

__________________________________________________________________________

FOLLOW INDEPENDENT PRESS:

WhatsApp CHANNEL
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAtNxX8fewmiFmN7N22