For Jerusalem, holy sites don open back for worshippers after Israel lift restrictions wey dem impose since war with Iran start nearly six weeks ago. Na on Thursday morning police announce say dem go allow people enter all holy places for di city, and dem deploy hundreds of officers and volunteers to maintain order.
Access to Christian, Jewish and Muslim holy sites bin dey prohibited or restricted to just small number of faithful during di conflict. Missile attacks from Iran often send Jerusalem residents run enter shelters, and di restrictions affect Lent, Passover and Ramadan celebrations for many people.
Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, wey close for most part of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr holiday, open back with dawn prayer on Thursday. Jerusalem Islamic Waqf, di Jordanian religious authority wey dey manage di compound, confirm di reopening.
For Western Wall for Old City, wey be di holiest site where Jews fit pray, dozens of men and women dey bow their heads in prayer. Di lifting of restrictions come just in time for Orthodox Christians wey go celebrate Easter on Sunday, one week after Catholic and Protestant observances.
On Saturday, thousands of Christians go gather for Church of the Holy Sepulchre holding unlit candles as dem pack into di 12th-century basilica built on di site where tradition say dem crucify and bury Jesus. Greek patriarch go light candles and di flame go pass from one candle to another.
Restrictions cause plenty wahala last month when Israeli police prevent Catholic leaders from entering Church of the Holy Sepulchre to celebrate private Mass for Palm Sunday. Na first time for centuries such thing happen, and e set off wave of criticism from United States and others.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu say no be “malicious intent” cause am, and say dem prevent Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa from accessing di church because of safety concerns. Dem later allow am enter on Easter Sunday.
On Thursday, worshippers dey rejoice as dem enter Al-Aqsa for first time in weeks. Mohammed Al-Qassas talk say “It is as if human beings are reborn.” Him say being unable to pray during dis period na like “feeling hungry all the time.” Biljana Vaslic, tourist from Serbia wey never enter di church before now, say “It was one of the most happiest moments in my life.”
But some people accuse Israel of using di war as excuse to restrict access. Omar al-Kiswani, director of di mosque, talk say “This is a grace from God after 40 days of using the war as a pretext, but God has granted steadfastness in this mosque.”
Even before di war, restrictions dey already high for people wey want access Al-Aqsa. During Ramadan prayers for early February, Israel restrict number of Palestinians wey fit enter from West Bank to 10,000, and only allow men over 55 and women over 50 plus children up to 12. Dem don impose similar restrictions before, citing security concerns.
For first time in 41 days, Muslim worshippers return to Al-Aqsa Mosque. Just before 5am for Jerusalem Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, Muslim worshipper pray with tears. Christians and Jews join as di city holy sites reopen following truce with Iran.
Jerusalem Old City contain major holy sites for all three Abrahamic religions, wey dem don close since di start of di war wey US-Israeli attack on Iran spark for February 28. For first time in 41 days, Muslim worshippers return to Al-Aqsa Mosque, Jews to Western Wall and Christians to Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
For Al-Aqsa, Islam third holiest site wey close during most of Ramadan dis year, thousands of worshippers perform ritual dawn prayer under heavy police presence. One man stand by entrance of Al-Qibli prayer hall, dey hand out paper tissues to worshippers wey emotion overcome.
Suzan Allam, wey come with her husband and daughter, tell AFP say return to Al-Aqsa na like “a party.” Hamza al-Afghani, young Palestinian, talk about “indescribable joy.” Another worshipper wey no share him name for security reasons say “Al-Aqsa mosque is Jerusalem’s soul.”
Police begin to disperse Muslim worshippers by 6.30am to allow religious Jews enter di compound, wey cause anger for crowd. Under long-standing arrangements, Jews fit visit di compound wey dem revere as site of first and second Jewish temples, but dem no dey allow dem pray there.
Israel say dem dey committed to uphold dis status quo, though Palestinians fear say dem dey erode am as some religious Jews increasingly break those rules to come pray. For Church of the Holy Sepulchre, same religious fervour dey present as Christians celebrate mass.
Uwde Sliman, 40-year-old Ethiopian wey dey drape with white shawl, tears dey stream from her eyes as she come out of di church. She talk say “It’s been one month, it’s very, very, very hard, but thank God we have life. Christians are happy today.”
Imad Marcos dey enthusiastic at di Church opening, dey pose in front of di building first with sunglasses on and then off. Di US-Egyptian businessman wey dey make pilgrimage to Jerusalem from Miami every year talk say “But when I came over, it was a miracle.” Him add say “Because I will have to enjoy here the whole day.”
Father Andrea, wey officiate mass on April 9, no surprise by di few worshippers present “in these difficult times.” Him talk say “Little by little, we hope they’ll come back.”
For Western Wall, dozens of Jewish worshippers pray for late morning. Ayla, 19-year-old, talk say “I’m so happy to be able to come back. Here I feel at home.” Yehuda Bandel, 70-year-old retired teacher wey dey live for suburb of Tel Aviv, feel same joy.
Bandel come with him entire family to celebrate him grandson upcoming bar mitzvah, di Jewish coming-of-age ritual. Him talk enthusiastically say “It’s the first time that he is wearing tefillin,” referring to di small black leather boxes containing Torah scrolls.
Beyond di reopening of holy sites for Jerusalem, Israeli authorities don lift most of di restrictions linked to state of emergency. Dis exclude di country northern border area near Lebanon, where war against Iran-backed Hezbollah continue.
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