Muslims hold first Friday prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque after reopening

Thousands of Muslim worshippers gathered at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem on Friday to perform the first weekly congregational prayers following a 40-day closure imposed by Israeli authorities. The reopening came after heightened tensions and restrictions during the holy month of Ramadan, which were implemented citing security concerns amid regional instability. The large turnout represented a significant moment for Palestinian religious and national identity, as access to the site is often a flashpoint in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The closure, which began in early April, had prevented most Palestinians from the occupied West Bank from reaching the mosque, though limited access was granted to Palestinian citizens of Israel and Jerusalem residents. Israeli officials stated the measure was necessary to prevent potential unrest during a period of heightened religious observance and following intelligence warnings. Palestinian leaders and Islamic authorities condemned the closure as a violation of religious freedom and an attempt to alter the status quo at one of Islam's holiest sites. The scenes on Friday were described as both solemn and celebratory, with worshippers expressing relief and defiance. The compound, known to Muslims as Al-Haram al-Sharif and to Jews as the Temple Mount, is administered by Jordan's Islamic Waqf under a longstanding arrangement, though Israel controls security. The reopening does not signify a resolution of the underlying tensions; rather, it highlights the fragile and contested nature of the site, where any change in access or protocol can quickly escalate into broader violence. Observers note that while the immediate restriction has been lifted, the fundamental disputes over sovereignty, worship, and political control in Jerusalem remain entirely unresolved.