Thousands Pray at Al-Aqsa Mosque for Eid al-Adha Holiday
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Thousands of Palestinians performed prayers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound for the Eid al-Adha holiday on Thursday, a Palestinian Authority official said.
Worshipers began arriving in the early hours of Thursday morning, with around 50,000 Palestinians entering the holy site for the religious holiday, Sheikh Azzam al-Khatib, head of the Islamic Waqf which runs Al-Aqsa, said.
Dozens of youths marched after prayers in support of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, urging Arab states to protect the holy site in the face of Israeli aggression.
Some demonstrators wore t-shirts reading "Al-Aqsa is in danger" and called for Palestinian political unity, Ma'an News Agency reported.
Following prayers, Palestinians greeted each other and distributed gifts and candy to children for the holiday.
Worshipers also visited Islamic cemeteries after leaving the mosque.
Eid al-Adha -- the Feast of Sacrifice -- is one of the most important holidays in the Muslim calendar.
Thursday's Eid al-Adha celebrations came after Jerusalem (holy city of al-Quds) was placed under tight security the day before, with thousands of Israeli police deployed across Palestinian neighborhoods.
