Hamas Calls on Palestinians to Pray at Al-Aqsa Mosque During Ramadan

Author: Dian Kencana
March 2, 2025

Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerussalem. (britanicca.com)

SEAToday.com, Gaza - The Hamas group has urged Palestinians to worship at Al-Aqsa Mosque throughout Ramadan as a form of resistance against Israeli occupation.

"Dedicate the days and nights of Ramadan to worship, steadfastness, and resistance against the occupation and illegal settlers in defense of Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa until it is liberated," Hamas said in a statement on Saturday.

Hamas also called on Palestinians worldwide to show solidarity and support their brothers and sisters in Gaza, the West Bank, and Jerusalem.

Meanwhile, Al-Aqsa Mosque preacher Sheikh Ekrima Sabri stated that Israeli authorities had tightened security in Jerusalem under the pretext of security concerns. However, he believes the real objective is to restrict Palestinian access to the mosque.

Each year during Ramadan, Israel imposes restrictions on Palestinians wishing to pray at Al-Aqsa Mosque, located in occupied East Jerusalem. Palestinians view these restrictions as part of Israel’s broader policy to alter the Arab and Islamic identity of the area.

Al-Aqsa Mosque is the third holiest site in Islam, while Jewish groups refer to the area as the Temple Mount, claiming it was the site of two ancient Jewish temples.

Israel took control of East Jerusalem during the 1967 Arab-Israeli War and unilaterally annexed it in 1980, a move that has never been recognized by the international community. In July last year, the International Court of Justice ruled that Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories was illegal and called for the removal of all settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.