Laylatul Qadr, one of the holiest nights in the Islamic calendar, is set to be observed this year between March 15 and 16. However, the closure of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound by Israeli authorities has significantly disrupted worship for many Muslims in Jerusalem.
King Mohammed VI led a religious vigil at the Royal Palace in Rabat to mark the occasion, where he honored ten young Qur’an memorizers and remembered two late monarchs in prayers. The vigil included the awarding of five prizes as part of the Mohammed VI Prize for Quranic Schools, which has three categories.
Israeli forces have shut down the Al-Aqsa Mosque, citing safety concerns from Iranian missile threats. This closure marks the longest since Israel’s occupation of East Jerusalem in 1967, lasting 16 days. The Palestinian Jerusalem Governorate reported that the Old City has effectively been turned into a military zone, with Israeli police setting up barriers that restrict movement and halt supplies to the mosque.
Eight countries have condemned the closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque, calling it a violation of international law. The Arab League stated, “Israel has no right to take any measures preventing Muslims from performing their religious duties at Al-Aqsa Mosque, which has serious repercussions for regional and international peace and security.”
Acts of worship performed during Laylatul Qadr are believed to carry the reward of a lifetime of devotion, with the night described in the Quran as “better than a thousand months.” This year, the ongoing conflict has bogged down festivities, stirring outrage in the Muslim world.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the full implications of the mosque’s closure on worshippers seeking to observe Laylatul Qadr. The last ten nights of Ramadan hold extra significance for Muslims, who traditionally seek to increase their worship during this period.
