As the month of Ramadan approaches in occupied Jerusalem, and the exceptional circumstance that all of Palestine is experiencing, due to the continued aggression of the Israeli occupation against the Gaza Strip, the lens of the Beit Al-Maqdis News Agency roamed the alleys and streets of Jerusalem to explore how Jerusalemites see Ramadan this year.

Among those interviewed by our correspondent was Imad Mona, the owner of the Scientific Library on Salah al-Din Street in central Jerusalem, which was established in 1986 and was considered one of the important cultural centers in Jerusalem during the first Palestinian Intifada and after it, and it is one of the important centers for visitors to Jerusalem.

Mona spoke to the agency about the spirituality associated with the month of Ramadan in Jerusalem and the occupation’s attempts to demonize this month in Ramadan and Jerusalem, by focusing on the fact that this month constitutes a security threat to the occupation to justify all its repressive measures in Jerusalem.

Mona said in his interview with the agency: “The month of Ramadan is upon us this year, and an important part of our homeland, Palestine, is witnessing a fierce war, which is the Gaza Strip, which leaves an impact on the people of Gaza first, and of course on the people of Jerusalem.”

Mona adds: “The Israeli occupation is waiting for opportunities to tighten its grip on Jerusalem, and today the occupation is exploiting what is happening in Gaza to further tighten its grip and control over the Holy City, by increasing barriers and preventing Palestinians from reaching the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque, and by escalating arrests.”

Mona continues by saying: “Our month of Ramadan in Jerusalem is a sad month, and there will be no festive atmosphere in the Old City, or as we are accustomed to in shops and homes, and the number of visitors will be lower as the occupation prevents our people in the West Bank from coming to Jerusalem.”

Imad Mona concluded his speech to Beit Al-Maqdis News Agency by saying: “I hope that this month will go well, and that all Palestinians will be able to come to Al-Aqsa from all regions of Palestine, as it is the symbol of their identity and the most sacred place for them in this country.”