The Al-Aqsa compound was filled with Palestinians and nationals who wanted their voice to be heard Photo Pexels
Palestine – Al-Quds day or Quds Day is a pro-Palestinian event held on the last Friday of the blessed month of Ramadan, which falls on April 14 this year. It is held in several countries across the world to express support for Palestinians and oppose Israel and Zionism. For the first time this Ramadan, people from the West Bank are being allowed to enter the Al-Aqsa compound freely.
Al-Quds day was started by Ruhollah Khomeini, the leader of the Iranian Revolution, in 1975 and has only grown stronger . Ayesha Kajee, Research Fellow at Africa Asia Dialogues , who is in Al-Aqsa, described the scenes experienced by many who have not had the opportunity yet in Ramadan to visit the beloved mosque despite being there.
“The [Al-Aqsa] compound is getting increasingly full even though it is well before Jummah [the Friday prayers] because for the first time this Ramadan people from the West Bank are being allowed to enter Al-Aqsa freely, including young men under the age of 50. Coming here through the Old City, once I entered the walls, I encountered a group of women from Nablus who had tears of joy in their eyes as they spoke about how wonderful it was to be here back at Al-Aqsa.”
A spiritual land that is under oppression
Kajee is in the blessed lands with a group of South Africans after the Israeli Defence Force launched various attacks on worshippers in Al-Aqsa and after Israeli settlers were escorted by Israeli police into Al-Aqsa. For Kajee, being there is important for two reasons. To receive spiritual upliftment and to show Israel that Al-Aqsa is still for the Muslims.
“The first goal is obviously to uplift ourselves spiritually by being on this blessed sacred piece of land. The second goal is political. That’s going to show solidarity with the Palestinian people and to claim Al-Aqsa for the Muslims because there are increasing attempts by the oppressors to bring their religion into this place and to claim Al-Aqsa for the Jews. Al-Aqsa is a Muslim place and so we should come here to show solidarity with the Palestinians and to not be intimidated by the attempts to keep Muslims away.”
Even with ongoing harassment at the borders, the airports, and at the checkpoints, we should still come to the blessed lands, said Kajee. A bag full of clothes but also a bag full of Sabr [patience] to show the Israeli government that Al-Aqsa is for the Muslims.
While Palestine is not a huge place, it has taken some people almost five hours to reach Al-Aqsa with the heavy military presence. The compound is filled with children and there is almost a holiday feeling in the area, explained Kajee. At a time when the IDF presence is heavy in Al-Aqsa, Muslims around the world must make their presence felt in the blessed land.
To hear more from Ayesha Kajee about Al-Aqsa and the atmosphere there, listen to the podcast here:
