Worshippers Return for Dawn Prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque After 40-Day Closure

Thousands of Palestinian worshippers returned to Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem at dawn on Wednesday to perform Fajr prayers, marking the end of a 40-day closure that had barred access to one of Islam's holiest sites and drawn widespread international condemnation.

Footage circulated on social media showed crowds streaming through the gates of the Old City in the pre-dawn hours, many visibly emotional as they entered the sacred compound for the first time in more than five weeks. The reopening came without prior official announcement, with worshippers learning of renewed access through word of mouth and social media channels in the early morning hours.

Israeli authorities had sealed the mosque compound in late February, citing security concerns amid escalating tensions in the occupied West Bank and Jerusalem. The prolonged closure, one of the longest in recent memory, prevented tens of thousands of Palestinians from accessing the site for daily prayers and Friday congregations throughout the period, including during key days of spiritual observance.

The restriction drew sharp criticism from across the Arab and Muslim world. Qatar was among the first nations to condemn the closure, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issuing a statement in March calling the measure a flagrant violation of international law and the rights of Palestinian worshippers. Doha urged the international community to compel Israel to respect the historical and legal status quo of the holy sites in Jerusalem.

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation, headquartered in Jeddah, passed a resolution during the closure period demanding immediate and unconditional reopening of Al-Aqsa to all Muslim worshippers. Jordan, which serves as custodian of the Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem through the Hashemite Waqf, filed formal protests with Israel and raised the matter before the United Nations Security Council.

Palestinian leaders described the reopening as a testament to the steadfastness of the people of Jerusalem, who maintained a constant presence near the compound's gates throughout the closure in peaceful protest. The Islamic Waqf Department reported that an estimated 15,000 worshippers attended the Fajr prayer on Wednesday morning, far exceeding typical attendance for the dawn congregation.

Human rights organizations documented numerous incidents during the 40-day period in which Israeli forces used force to disperse Palestinians gathered near the mosque's entrances. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs recorded dozens of arrests and injuries related to the closure.

Qatar has consistently championed the Palestinian cause and the protection of Islamic holy sites in Jerusalem, with the Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, repeatedly emphasizing that the status of Al-Aqsa Mosque remains a red line for the Muslim world. Doha continues to provide financial and diplomatic support for Palestinian institutions in Jerusalem, including contributions to the maintenance and restoration of the mosque compound.

Analysts noted that the reopening, while welcomed, underscored the precarious situation facing Palestinian worshippers, who remain subject to Israeli restrictions that can be imposed and lifted without consultation or accountability.