Muslims flock to al-Aqsa for Eid prayers

Tens of thousands of Muslims performed their Salat al-Eid (Eid prayers) at al-Aqsa Mosque, located in the Old Town of the East Jerusalem, which is occupied by Israel.

Palestinian Muslims started to arrive at al-Aqsa for the Isha prayer on the eve of the Eid al-Adha, or feast of the sacrifice. They stood in long queues on the road to the Old Town of Jerusalem, where the Temple Mount is located.

Muslims waited at the al-Aqsa until Salat al-Eid was held, listening to Quran reading and reciting the Takbir of Tashriq. An Eid sermon was later delivered at al-Aqsa. Thousands of African-origin Muslims, who have to live as refugees in Israel’s capital Tel Aviv and its surroundings, also performed their Eid prayers at the Noble Sanctuary.

Shaykh Yusuf Abu Sneina, the Imam of Masjid al-Aqsa, addressed in his Eid sermon the crisis and challenges faced by the Islamic world.

Pointing to the violations carried out by Israel against al-Aqsa, “Look at Israel’s aggressive and oppressive policies of destruction and detention. Heavy taxes and hardships imposed by Israel against Muslims in Jerusalem are no longer bearable. We’ve had enough of this oppression,” Shaykh Abu Sneina said.

Shaykh Abu Sneina called for patience and resistance by Palestinian Muslims, and performed prayers for the deliverance of al-Aqsa Mosque, and the unity of Muslims across the world.