Ramadan prayers banned at Jerusalem's al-Aqsa mosque due to virus


  • World
  • Friday, 17 Apr 2020

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Jerusalem's al-Aqsa mosque compound will be closed to Muslim worshippers throughout the holy fasting month of Ramadan due to the coronavirus epidemic, Muslim clerics at Islam's third-holiest site said on Thursday.

Ramadan typically draws tens of thousands of Muslims daily to the mosque and the adjoining Dome of the Rock for evening prayers known as Taraweeh. Muslim faithful believe the site to be where the Prophet Mohammad ascended to heaven.

Save 30% OFF The Star Digital Access

Monthly Plan

RM 13.90/month

RM 9.73/month

Billed as RM 9.73 for the 1st month, RM 13.90 thereafter.

Best Value

Annual Plan

RM 12.33/month

RM 8.63/month

Billed as RM 103.60 for the 1st year, RM 148 thereafter.

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

Next In World

US Treasury Secretary Bessent brushes off 'hysteria' over Greenland
US-led coalition negotiating Al-Hol camp handover, Syrian sources say
Russia's Lavrov says Britain should no longer be called 'Great' Britain
EU Commission working on package to support Arctic security, von der Leyen says
IAEA says Ukraine's Chornobyl nuclear plant lost all off-site power on Tuesday
Trump, sharing leaked texts and AI mock-ups, vows 'no going back' on Greenland
ASEAN will not certify Myanmar election or send observers, Malaysia says
UN chief Guterres cancels Davos trip due to bad cold, spokesperson says
UK and US can work through differences, says House Speaker Johnson
Zelenskiy has not decided yet on Davos visit, official says

Others Also Read