Wakf re-imposes prayer restrictions at Al-Aqsa Mosque
The Wakf Department also urged worshippers to fully comply with health instructions, particularly regarding wearing face masks, and to use their own prayer carpets.
By KHALED ABU TOAMEHPalestinians perform Eid al-Fitr prayers marking the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) restrictions, outside the compound housing al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem's Old City May 24, 2020.(photo credit: RONEN ZVULUN/REUTERS)
The Wakf Islamic religious trust announced on Wednesday new restrictions for Muslims who wish to pray at al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem, as part of precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.The measures include unifying prayers behind one imam and an appeal to worshipers to maintain social distancing and avoid congregating during their presence inside the compound.The Wakf, instituted by Jordan after Israel’s War of Independence, also urged worshipers to fully comply with health instructions, particularly regarding wearing face masks, and to use their own prayer carpets.“Anyone who violates these instructions will not be allowed to enter and pray in the mosque,” it cautioned in a statement.The Wakf called on the elderly and the sick to pray at home or at the mosque nearest to their homes and to avoid using public lavatories as much as possible.In March, the compound was entirely closed to the public for the first time since 1967 “in response to religious and medical recommendations.” Only Wakf employees were permitted to pray on the esplanade outside the mosque.The compound was reopened in late May, and since then thousands of worshipers have been converging on the site on an almost daily basis.
