Occupied Jerusalem, Feb. 20 (Petra)-- This Friday evening, thousands of worshipers performed the Isha and Taraweeh (special Ramadan prayer) prayers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque.

According to the Jerusalem Islamic Awqaf Department, 100,000 worshipers performed the Isha and Taraweeh prayers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque in spite of the Israeli occupation forces' stringent restrictions on worshipers' entry and their efforts to keep Palestinian citizens from the West Bank from getting there.

At the Qalandiya checkpoint, north of occupied Jerusalem, and the checkpoint (300), which divides Jerusalem and Bethlehem, thousands of worshipers were turned back by the Israeli troops earlier today when they attempted to enter the Al-Aqsa Mosque.

It is noteworthy that in order to keep muslims from entering the Al-Aqsa Mosque, the occupying forces have stepped up their military actions in and around Jerusalem as well as at its gates. More than 300 Jerusalemites have received directives in recent days prohibiting them from attending the Al-Aqsa Mosque during the holy month of Ramadan.

//Petra// MF