The Director of the Blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque, Sheikh Omar Al-Kiswani, praised the perseverance of the Jerusalemites and Al-Murabitun and their challenge to the barriers of the Israeli occupation, on the first night of the month of Ramadan.

Al-Kiswani said in a statement: “This month is different from previous years, but despite what is happening in Palestine, we congratulate the Arab and Islamic nation and the people of Palestine on the advent of the month of Ramadan.”

Al-Kiswani added: “This month overlooks the Islamic nation to purify it and refine souls. Congratulations to you, pioneers of Al-Aqsa, and let you know that this is a selection from God, after you were able to overcome all the occupation’s barriers to perform the first Tarawih prayer in Ramadan for this year.”

Sheikh Omar Al-Kiswani stressed the importance of maintaining the bond in Al-Aqsa Mosque throughout the month of Ramadan, because of its great reward and virtue.

On Sunday evening, the Israeli occupation forces obstructed the entry of worshipers to perform Tarawih prayers in the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque, amid military restrictions in the Old City of occupied Jerusalem.

The occupation forces prevented the people from entering to perform Tarawih prayers from Bab al-Qattanin, one of the main gates of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, in a flagrant violation of Muslims and restricting their right to worship.

Despite the occupation's restrictions, thousands flocked to Al-Aqsa Mosque to perform the evening and Tarawih prayers in its spacious grounds.