Thousands of Muslim worshippers flocked to Jerusalem’s Temple Mount compound, where the Al-Aqsa Mosque is situated, to offer prayers during the Muslim holiday, Eid al-Adha. According to Islam, the holiday marks the biblical story of Abraham’s binding of Isaac, as a sign of complete obedience to God. Per the Quran, however, Ishmael and not Isaac was the son on the alter, effectively rejecting the Jewish lineage to this biblical story. As it goes, an angel of God stopped Abraham from following through with the sacrifice of his son, instead providing him with an animal for the slaughter. That is why, the four-day holiday is being marked by Muslims from around the world by slaughtering sheep, goats, cows and camels.
Meanwhile in the Gaza Strip, Hundreds of Muslim worshipers attended the prayers of the Islamic Hamas organization. During an address by the organization’s leader, Ismail Haniyeh said that their ongoing violent activities have proven effective, and will most likely bring an end to the Israeli and Egyptian blockades on the Hamas-run enclave.
“Brothers and sisters, this Eid I feel that blessing is coming our way, God willing, to our country, our land, our cause and our people. I feel with the grace of God that this stability, resistance and these marches, that we are very close to end this unjust blockade,” Hamas Leader Ismail Haniyeh said.
The Islamist leader further declared that while the Gaza Strip faces many challenges, Hamas will continue to uphold its vows – to liberate all of the lands of Palestine, as Haniyeh put it.