Al Aqsa compound closed for Eid prayers for first time in decades
- 3 hours ago
- 1 min read
Paris, March 20, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – The Al Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem was closed to worshippers for Eid al-Fitr prayers on Friday, marking the first such closure in decades.
The full closure of the site has not occurred since the 1967 Middle East war, when Israel captured East Jerusalem and the Old City.
Israeli authorities said holy sites in the Old City remain closed to worshippers of all faiths citing security concerns linked to the ongoing conflict.
The restrictions have had the broadest impact on Muslim worshippers, with tens of thousands typically attending Friday prayers at the Al Aqsa compound.
The site, located in Jerusalem’s Old City, is sacred to Muslims and Jews and has long been a focal point of tensions in the region.
