Thousands Hold Friday Prayer in Jerusalem Streets

JERUSALEM, August 19, 2011 (WAFA) – Israeli closure of the Old City of Jerusalem to males under 50 and females under 40 to prevent them from reaching Al-Aqsa Mosque forced thousands of Muslims to hold the third Friday of Ramadan prayer in the streets of Jerusalem, said witnesses.

While the number of Muslims who attended last Friday prayer at Al-Aqsa reached around 200,000, the number of people who were able to make it to the Mosque this Friday did not exceed 50,000, said Muslim officials.

Unlike the last two Fridays when Israel allowed West Bank residents over 50 to freely reach Jerusalem, none were allowed through its checkpoints this Friday.

Jerusalem residents and Arabs from inside Israel under 50 prayed in the streets outside the Old City Wall as heavily armed Israeli police with full riot gear stopped thousands from reaching Al-Aqsa Mosque.

At some point, police clashed with residents who tried to break through its lines to get into the Old City to reach Al-Aqsa.

WAFA