Al-Aqsa Mosque to Reopen After Eid Al-Fitr

The Islamic Endowments Council in Jerusalem announced Tuesday the reopening of Al-Aqsa Mosque after Eid al-Fitr after closing its doors for about two months because of the novel coronavirus outbreak.

“It’s decided to lift the suspension of worshipers' entry to the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque after Eid Al-Fitr," the council said in a statement.

Muslims around the world are celebrating Eid Al-Fitr, which follows the month of Ramadan, the beginning of the upcoming week.

According to the statement, "the mechanism and procedures for lifting the suspension will be announced through a statement to be issued by the Endowments Department in coordination with the Islamic Endowments Council."

[caption id="attachment_72901" align="aligncenter" width="730"] Dozens of Israeli Settlers Storm Al Aqsa Mosque[/caption]

The Council of Endowments and Islamic Affairs in Jerusalem announced last March the suspension of worshipers attend the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem for a temporary period to limit the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

"I do not think that there will be a partial opening or a limitation of the number of worshipers who are allowed to enter to perform the prayer," Sheikh Omar Al-Kiswani, the director of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, told France Press on Tuesday.

Al-Kiswani confirmed that the details of the decision will be announced in a statement issued before the mosque is reopened.

But he indicated that the Islamic Council "will discuss the matter for not being criticized and accusing the Endowments Department of violating the health rules" in force to prevent the novel virus.

Israel captured Al-Aqsa Mosque After 1967 War

The Al-Aqsa Mosque is located in East Jerusalem, which Israel captured after the 1967 war, and is at the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Israeli forces control the entrances to the site, which is administered by the Islamic Endowments Department of Jordan.

The Al-Aqsa Mosque is one of three holy sites for Muslims, while Jews refer to it as the Temple Mount, the site of the two temples from the Torah era and is considered the most sacred religious place they have.

This and other measures to reduce restrictions imposed on the population come after the number of the novel coronavirus infections in the Palestinian territories and Israel has decreased significantly.