About 40,000 Muslims gathered on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem to participate in noon prayers on the first Friday of Ramadan. This was confirmed by Israeli Police Inspector General Kobi Shabtai, who estimated the number of believers visiting the site.
"We are nearing 40,000," Shabtai informed reporters as he exited the police headquarters in Jerusalem, as reported by the army radio station Galei IDF. He further assured that the situation in the city remains calm, with no serious incidents reported.
The Temple Mount, located in the Old City, is the site of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, a sacred Islamic site and the third most important shrine in Islam.
In preparation for the event, Israeli police announced the implementation of enhanced security measures around the Old City. This was done in anticipation of the arrival of thousands of Muslim pilgrims for the noon prayers on the first Friday of Ramadan. The security was provided by over 3,000 Israeli law enforcement officers.
Earlier, Israeli authorities had expressed concerns about the potential for an escalation of tensions in the West Bank and East Jerusalem during the holy month of Ramadan.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Konevi/Pixabay
Based on materials from TASS