13-year-old Yousef al-Sideeq sat on a bench outside Al Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem, listening to the sermon on the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. As the call to prayer echoed over the speakers, he reflected on the challenges he faced trying to enter the mosque every Friday.
“Most Fridays they prevent me from getting in, for no reason,” Yousef said, referring to the Israeli police. Since the Hamas-led Oct. 7 attacks and Israel’s response in Gaza, armed Israeli forces have blocked many worshipers from entering the compound, he explained.
Despite being a regular visitor to Al Aqsa, Yousef has only managed to enter twice. The compound, known as the Noble Sanctuary to Muslims and the Temple Mount to Jews, is a sacred site that draws worshipers from across the region.
As Ramadan began, concerns grew about potential restrictions on access to the mosque. Israeli police stated that enhanced security measures were in place due to the current situation, but did not address specific questions about preventing certain worshipers from entering.
Recent reports indicated that Palestinians were being turned away from Al Aqsa, sparking fears of further limitations on religious freedom. The compound’s significance to both Muslims and Jews has made it a flashpoint for conflict in the past.
In light of the ongoing tensions, many Palestinians worry about the future of Al Aqsa, particularly with Israel’s right-wing government in power. Calls for restrictions on worshipers have raised concerns about the erosion of religious freedoms in the region.
Despite the challenges, worshipers like Yousef remain determined to pray at Al Aqsa, even if they are forced to gather outside the gates. As the call to prayer rang out, he joined a group of young men in a makeshift sermon, undeterred by the obstacles they faced in reaching the mosque.