Jerusalem Muslim celebrations marred by Israeli police suppression

Jerusalem24 – Palestinian Jerusalemites took to the streets in and around the Old City of occupied East Jerusalem yesterday to celebrate the birth of the Prophet Mohammad, but soon faced dispersal, assaults and arrests by Israeli forces.

The birth of the Prophet is an important religious holiday for Muslims. Children dressed in traditional Palestinian attire watched scout troops marching and performing through the streets and alleys of the Old City amid strict measures imposed by Israeli authorities, and Muslims gathered in large numbers both in Bab Al-Amoud and in the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque, where scenes of sharing foods, singing and eating sweets soon reached social media.

The scouts’ march began from Al-Zahraa Street, passing through Sallah El-Din and Sultan Suleiman Streets, reaching Bab Al-Amoud, and ending on the grounds of Al-Aqsa Mosque. The merchants of the Old City distributed sweets to participants in the march. The whole was interspersed with prophetic praises from local religious groups.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The markets of the old town witnessed a commercial revivification in conjunction with the anniversary of the Prophet’s birthday, as thousands of Muslims from Jerusalem and elsewhere flocked to pray at Al-Aqsa Mosque.

The Department of Islamic Endowments of Jerusalem (Waqf) also celebrated the Prophet’s birthday in the Al-Qibli prayer hall with religious songs and stories, and a biography of the Prophet’s life.

Israeli forces soon stormed the grounds at Al-Aqsa however, as well as Bab Al-Amoud where thousands were gathered, and suppressed the celebrations with a wastewater vehicle which sprayed the crowds.

The Palestinian Red Crescent reported four injuries due to physical assault.

Israeli forces arrested a total of seven Palestinian men and one woman.

Jerusalemites no strangers to disruptions of celebrations

This year, the birth of the Prophet falls between several important religious Jewish holidays. But while Jewish Israelis have been freely celebrating their traditions in the streets of occupied East Jerusalem (even as Palestinians witness an increase in restrictions on freedom of movement and gathering), yesterday’s events are only the latest in a series of Palestinian Christian and Muslim religious holidays that have been marred by Israeli authorities’ actions.

Speaking to Jerusalem24 over the Jewish New Year at the end of September, Jerusalemite activist Adnan Barq recalled how Palestinian Christians were prevented from the Church of the Holy Sepulcher to pray on the last Holy Fire Saturday.

Adnan explained that in conjunction with restrictions on freedom of worship for Palestinians, security measures are also increased, while Jewish prayer is enabled and encouraged by Israeli authorities. “You see how they are preventing Muslims from entering [Al-Aqsa Mosque] while Jewish people can have their tours inside,” said Adnan. “It’s really painful because for us Al-Aqsa is not only a religious place to pray. […] We talk about the place where we grew up, and where we hang out. It means everything for us.”

Video documentation of both the celebrations and their suppression by Israeli forces were widely shared on social media.

Israeli forces are suppressing celebrations for the birth of the Prophet Mohammad that were taking place between Salah El-Din Street and Damascus gate in occupied East Jerusalem. The Red Crescent has reported five injuries.#palestine #jerusalem #j24fm pic.twitter.com/oLeRCSkmG2

— Jerusalem24 (@J24FMPalestine) October 8, 2022

أجواء حيوية تشهدها أسواق مدينة القدس في ذكرى المولد النبوي pic.twitter.com/HqAzvjZjEE

— AlQastal القسطل (@AlQastalps) October 8, 2022

أجواء احتفالية بذكرى المولد النبوي بالمسجد الأقصى المبارك pic.twitter.com/5uQonMVcrS

— AlQastal القسطل (@AlQastalps) October 8, 2022

قوات الاحتلال تقمع الأهالي المحتفلين بالمولد النبوي في منطقة باب العامود بالقدس pic.twitter.com/y1WT6AueUn

— AlQastal القسطل (@AlQastalps) October 8, 2022

قوات الاحتلال تقمع الأهالي في منطقة باب الساهرة بالقدس المحتلة pic.twitter.com/urHQYaxtr0

— AlQastal القسطل (@AlQastalps) October 8, 2022

مشاهد لقمع قوات الاحتلال للمتواجدين في ذكرى المولد النبوي بباب العامود بالقدس قبل قليل pic.twitter.com/AyPSWlXuY3

— AlQastal القسطل (@AlQastalps) October 8, 2022

لحظات اعتقال شابين من باب العامود بالقدس قبل قليل pic.twitter.com/k2dNykPKPo

— AlQastal القسطل (@AlQastalps) October 8, 2022

لحظة اعتقال فتاة من باب العامود بالقدس pic.twitter.com/2kPFPq59FE

— AlQastal القسطل (@AlQastalps) October 8, 2022