The hopes and prayers for a trouble-free Ramadan at Jerusalem’s Al Aqsa Mosque

The site in Jerusalem's Old City is the third-holiest in Islam - but has become a flashpoint

An Israeli soldier on guard at one of the entrances to Al Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem's Old City, next to a shop selling Ramadan decorations. AFP

An Orthodox Jewish man walks past a shop selling Ramadan fanous lanterns near one of the entrances to Al Aqsa Mosque. EP

Palestinians and security forces near one of the mosque's entrances. EPA

Palestinians in an alley leading to one of the mosque's entrances. EPA

A Palestinian mother and child near one of the mosque's entrances. EPA

A shop owner arranges fanous lanterns. EPA

A customer admires a fanous lantern in a shop near Al Aqsa mosque as Ramadan approaches. EPA

Ramadan decorations on display outside the Al Aqsa Mosque's courtyard. EPA

A varity of lanterns on sale near the Jerusalem mosque. EPA

Palestinians take part in Friday prayers at Al Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan last year. AFP

Sweets for sale outside Al Aqsa Mosque. EPA

Israeli security forces check Palestinians going into Al Aqsa Mosque for Friday prayers on the eve of Ramadan. AFP

An Israeli soldier stands guard as tensions run high before the holy month. AFP

Palestinian men read the Quran at Al Aqsa Mosque. AFP

Palestinian women pray at the mosque during Ramadan last year. AFP

Palestinian worshippers pray outside the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem's Al Aqsa Mosque compound. AFP

Israeli police officers check the bag of a Palestinian woman entering Al Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan last year. AFP

Worshippers pray outside the Dome of the Rock on the last Friday of Ramadan last year. AFP

Muslim children celebrate in front of the Dome of the Rock after the morning Eid Al Fitr prayer, which marks the end of Ramadan, on May 13, 2021. AFP

Preparations for Ramadan are well under way at Al Aqsa Mosque, in the heart of Jerusalem’s Old City, where Muslims hope the holy month will be free from the turmoil of recent years.

The sunbaked courtyard of Islam’s third-holiest site stands serene above the bustling streets of the Old City.

Worshippers emerge from the shaded alleys on to the compound at Al Aqsa Mosque after passing checkpoints, while tourists are ushered away before prayer time.

“Things are heading towards being normal, meaning that people will come to pray and return home. God willing, nothing will happen,” said Mohammed Al Ashhab, head of public relations at the Waqf, which oversees Jerusalem’s Islamic sites.

The hope for a return to such a daily rhythm follows two troubled Ramadans in the holy city, with the coronavirus pandemic bringing religious life to a standstill in 2020.

Muslims flocked to Al Aqsa last spring, only for the sacred site to be marred by violence between Israeli security forces and worshippers.

More than 1,000 Palestinians were wounded in East Jerusalem during Ramadan, according to medics, as were dozens of Israeli police officers.

Even on nights when the compound itself was peaceful, worshippers regularly faced clashes at the city’s Damascus Gate as they journeyed home.

A member of the Israeli security forces stands guard at one of Al Aqsa mosque entrance in the old city of Jerusalem, as a shops sell ornaments ahead of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, March 31,2022. AFP

While people hope such scenes will not be repeated this Ramadan, there is also optimism that worshippers from afar will be able to celebrate the holy month in Jerusalem.

“We welcome everyone, and we are ready for the world to come and worship,” Mr Al Ashhab said.

“To enjoy themselves, to pray and return to the world safe and sound to their families.”

Muslims usually travel to Jerusalem from Turkey and elsewhere during Ramadan, if they are granted entry by Israeli authorities.

Foreign visitors were a rare sight in the city during the past two years because of the pandemic.

But with few coronavirus restrictions now in place at the borders, tourists and pilgrims have returned to Al Aqsa Mosque compound in recent weeks.

They stroll atop the ancient stones in small groups, gazing in awe at the golden Dome of the Rock and posing for photos. The site stands above the Western Wall, the holiest site where Jews can pray.

Celebrations in front of the Dome of the Rock mosque after the morning Eid Al Fitr prayer, which marks the end of Ramadan, at Al Aqsa Mosque compound, May 13, 2021. AFP

Ramadan potentially brings greater freedoms for Palestinians from the West Bank, which, along with East Jerusalem, has been occupied by Israel since the 1967 Arab-Israeli war.

Israeli authorities often ease permit rules during the holy month, allowing more West Bank residents to travel to Jerusalem.

As the Ramadan lights are strung up this year, the abandoned streets of 2020 seem a distant memory.

But coronavirus is ever present and staff at Al Aqsa encourage worshippers to wear masks.

“We usually contract a cleaning company, because there are usually a lot [of worshippers],” Mr Al Ashhab said. After Taraweeh prayers at 11pm, the team enters to do a full clean of the plaza, he said.

The crowds will go down into the streets of the Old City, where shopkeepers hard hit by the pandemic will be waiting for customers.

Stalls also pop up during Ramadan, selling gifts and toys of all kinds, while the aromas from food stalls drift through the alleys.

“We hope that things will be calm and nothing will happen in Jerusalem,” said Mr Al Ashhab, looking to the weeks ahead.

“People who have children with them, and the elderly, will be able to arrive at Al Aqsa Mosque, pray and enjoy themselves in peace.”