West Bank: Israel blocks access to Ibrahimi Mosque on the anniversary of the Prophet’s migration

Jerusalem – Israeli measures around the Ibrahimi Mosque in the city of Hebron, south of the West Bank, prevented worshipers from arriving and participating in the event commemorating the Prophet’s migration, which was called for by the Palestinian Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs.

The director of the Ibrahimi Mosque, Sheikh Moataz Abu Sneineh, told Anadolu Agency: “Today, on the anniversary of the Prophet’s migration, events are being held in the sanctuary (mosque), but compared to previous years, the sanctuary is almost empty of worshippers and visitors due to the occupation’s measures.”

He added that the Israeli measures are strict, pointing out that “the gates of the sanctuary are closed except for one door,” calling on the Palestinians to “intensify their presence and guard the mosque despite the existing obstacles.”

Sunday marks the beginning of the new Islamic year 1446 AH, which is an official holiday in Palestine, but the Hebron Endowments Department called for it to be celebrated on Saturday, where verses of the Holy Qur’an are recited and religious lessons, supplications, and sermons are given.

The Ibrahimi Mosque is located in the Old City of Hebron, which is under Israeli control, and is home to regarding 400 settlers guarded by regarding 1,500 Israeli soldiers.

Since October 7, the Israeli army has tightened its military measures around the mosque and imposed a curfew most of the time on residents of the surrounding Palestinian neighborhoods.

Since 1994, Israel has divided the mosque into 63 percent for Jews and 37 percent for Muslims, following a massacre committed by a settler that resulted in the killing of 29 worshipers. The section designated for Jews contains the call to prayer room.

Anatolia