Al Aqsa Is Calling Us!
Al-Aqsa is a Holy Mosque in Jerusalem, situated in the Al-Haram Ash-Sharif. This mosque is the 3rd holiest site in Islam. This is where the Prophet SAW ascended to Heaven. Verse no.1, chapter 17 of the Holy Quran highlights the blessings that have been brought on the areas surrounding Masjid Al- Aqsa. Before the Qibla, the direction in which Muslims pray was established towards the Kaaba; the Muslims faced Al-Aqsa for their Qibla. One prayer in this mosque also equals 500 prayers. This area is clearly a place of great divine importance and, hence, a unifying point for Muslims all around the world. It is one of the reasons that Muslims have a strong affinity for Palestine, not only because of the atrocities committed against the Palestinians, but also because their beloved Holy Mosque also stands there.
Though this mosque is of great importance to the Palestinians and the Muslim world, it has been illegally occupied by the Zionist regime since 1967. For Palestinians, Al-Aqsa is not just a religious site; it is also a representation of their resistance. Within the site, Palestinians celebrate and also mourn. Many have visited the mosque since they were young. It is also where they break their fasts and where they pray their Friday prayers. Another reason why the site is heartfelt to the Palestinians is that the site has been a great deal of contention, too.
Because Zionists have wanted to establish their 3rd temple on the site, they have relentlessly harassed and restricted the Palestinians on numerous occasions from entering the site. As a result, Zionists present a great threat to Palestinians’ attachment to the mosque. Hence, the discussion on Al-Aqsa is an important one. It not only highlights the need for the Muslim world to speak up for their brothers and sisters in Al-Quds, but also the need for international voices to support this movement too — as this is another means of Zionist expansion, which has contributed to the dire suffering of the Palestinian people.
Timeline of Zionist Incursions:
The repeated oppression against Al-Aqsa and its worshippers is not a new phenomenon. For decades, “Israel” has been violating the sanctity of the Mosque to establish their agenda.
In 1968, excavations of a tunnel along the al-Haram ash-Sharif were initiated by the Rabbinate so they could find traces of the Second Temple. Then, in 1970, a third stage of excavations took place under the five gates of Al-Aqsa.
In 1971, a Jewish extremist led a Temple Group to the Al-Haram Ash-Sharif, but they were stopped by a Palestinian guard.
In 1979, Jewish extremist groups tried to enter Al-Aqsa but were met with the force of the Palestinian people and clashes started taking place, causing dozens of Palestinians to be wounded.
In 1985, Jewish extremists admitted to blowing up the Dome of the Rock to help initiate the construction of the Jewish temple.
In 1988, “Israeli” riot police attacked worshippers in Al-Haram Ash-Sharif, causing Palestinians to be injured. These provocations, including entering without permission and consistent attacks on Palestinian worshippers, have been common behaviour of the Zionists to help establish their Temple Mount. These provocations continued even after 1988 and onwards.
In 2000, Ariel Sharon, who was responsible for the 1982 massacres of Palestinians in Lebanese refugee camps, marched towards the Al-Haram Ash-Sharif with the help of “Israeli” riot police as a means of provocation. Because the Zionists are advocating for the Temple Mount, they dismiss the divinity of the Holy site for Muslims. Ariel Sharon said, “What provocation is there when Jews come to visit the place with a message of peace? I am sorry about the injury, but it is the right of Jews in “Israel” to visit the Temple Mount”.
On October 30th, 2014, for the first time since 1967, Al-Aqsa was closed by the Zionist Occupation.
In September of 2015, Palestinians who saw themselves as defenders of the mosque were outlawed by the Zionist regime, even though it is the duty of every Muslim to protect Al-Aqsa mosque against Zionist violations.
In 2018, hundreds of “Israeli” settlers entered the compound by force with the help of Zionist Police protection.
In 2019, Soldiers used tear gas and rubber bullets on Muslim worshippers while they were praying.
In both 2021 and 2022, during the month of Ramadan, the Zionist forces raided the compound and wounded more than 100 Muslims. “Israeli” forces tend to storm Al-Aqsa when there are great tensions rising or when there is a Jewish or “Israeli” holiday.
In 2023, before the genocide started, “Israeli” police attacked worshippers while praying during the month of Ramadan as well. The raids continued until morning. Palestinians were being assaulted, and they were also not allowed entry into the site, but the Zionist forces allowed for the entry of “Israelis” under their protection. In the Al-Aqsa compound, worshippers were beaten with batons and attacked with tear gas. There were also sound bombs to get them to leave the prayer halls. 400 Palestinians were arrested.
Greater Impact and Current Situation:
The struggle over Al-Aqsa Mosque is a colonial and religious one. The boldness that Zionists possess to invade the mosque all the time is a sign that they are aware that Palestinians have no one on their side, not even the Muslim Ummah, to defend them. Hence, that weakness is taken advantage of. This is also the Zionists’ attempt to extend their occupation. This expansion is under the guise of the idea that the land of “Israel” is promised to the Zionists because of biblical texts. Now, Temple groups are advocating for the construction of a Jewish “third temple” in place of Al-Aqsa Mosque. As conditions for Palestinians have worsened everywhere since October 7, the situation for worshippers at Al-Aqsa have also deteriorated.
Whilst the Zionist regime has been committing a genocide against the people of Gaza since October 2023, they have also caused severe suppression in the West Bank and in Al-Aqsa to help finish their colonial project. Violent assaults on worshippers have become commonplace and after October 7th, especially during the month of Ramadan. In 2024, on the eve of Ramadan, in order to prevent worshippers from entering Al-Aqsa, the “Israeli” forces were beating worshippers. Also in Ramadan 2024, thousands of Palestinians from the West Bank were not allowed to access Al-Aqsa Mosque. It was decided that only men over the age of 55 were allowed to enter the Mosque, which makes 95% of Palestinians not eligible to go and pray in an area that is the third-holiest site in Islam. A religious place where the Prophet (PBUH) made a journey to has been barred for Palestinians. Furthermore, there are beatings and provocations in these mosques, too, by the Zionist regime. For instance, one man who was above the age of 55 was denied access to the mosque. Even when Palestinians are leaving the mosque, there are restrictions. They have to show paperwork at Jerusalem checkpoints. During this time, Ben Gvir was given permission to put up barricades to prevent the entry of Palestinian worshippers.
The situation worsened in 2025, when they barred worshippers from entering their Friday prayers. This took place on June 13th. It was announced that in Ramadan 2026, “Israeli” authorities planned to completely restrict Muslims from entering Al-Aqsa. Sheikh Sabri, the Grand Mufti of the Mosque, said that “Israeli” authorities barred young Muslims even before Ramadan from entering the mosque. “Israeli” authorities also issued temporary orders against East Jerusalem residents from entering Al-Aqsa during the month of Ramadan. To make matters worse, Ben Gvir brought illegal settlers into the courtyard of the Al-Aqsa mosque before Ramadan started to provoke conflict. These provocations are done specifically during Jewish holidays. For Palestinians, this is an insult to the Arab and Islamic identity of East Jerusalem.
Another “Israeli” Knesset member forced his way into the courtyard of Al-Aqsa, a few days before Ramadan, where he performed his Talmudic prayers. He said that Jewish prayers on the ‘Temple Mount’ should not be changed during the month of Ramadan. During this Ramadan 2026, the restrictions have gotten significantly worse. Worshippers have been completely barred from entering the Mosque to pray their Isha and Taraweeh prayers. The compound was even closed for consecutive days. The violations have also been condemned by UNESCO.
These are done to undermine the holiness and importance of Al-Aqsa. The Grand Mufti of the Mosque has said the mosque “has been subjected to a strict siege since the outbreak of the aggression on Gaza.” The reason why they target Al-Aqsa so much is that they want to assert control over the site. This shows how the Zionists are taking every opportunity they can to make life difficult for the Palestinians wherever that may be in Palestine, especially in dire times like these, to help with their colonial project.
International Call:
Under International Humanitarian Law, places of worship have to be protected and respected, and armed groups are prohibited from destroying or attacking them. Yet the Zionist cult has violated this law time and time again. They have dug under the mosque to try to find ‘evidence’ that the mosque belongs to Jews. Organisations like Amnesty International have condemned their actions against Al-Aqsa. So has the Palestinian Rights Committee in the United Nations, saying “Responsible collective action is urgent for de-escalation and ensuring the necessary accountability for the violations of international law, including humanitarian and human rights law, being perpetrated by “Israel” for far too long in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem.”
In Islam, Al-Aqsa is held in high esteem. Abu Hurairah (Allah be pleased with him) said that the Prophet Muhammad PBUH said, "Do not undertake a journey to visit any Mosque, but three: this Mosque of mine, the Mosque of al-Haram and the Mosque of Aqsa (Bait al-Maqdis). In order to help protect Al-Aqsa, Muslims should teach future generations of Muslims the virtues of the site, as this establishes a faith-based connection to the Mosque, hence more action takes place. Muslims should remind all Muslims worldwide of Masjid Al-Aqsa, whether it be through the means of conferences or social media. Acquainting the world with Al-Aqsa is really important too, as some may not even know what it is or the historical and religious background. They should also help raise funds for Masjid Al-Aqsa and the inhabitants of Al-Quds. And all these are doable for non-Muslims too, and also a responsibility. It is condemnable under International Law, and it is also a part of “Israel’s” expansionist project. In order for the injustices to stop, there has to be unity against “Israel’s” actions all over the world. It should not be done by just one religious group, especially since the Palestinians are doing it all on their own and need as much international support as they can get.
