Prayer as Protest

Yesterday, as I walked with two of my Canadian friends who are also in the region, from the bus station in Jerusalem towards the large Damascus Gate of the Old City (where we planned to take a taxi to join a weekly demonstration/vigil held by the Women In Black) we came across a temporary checkpoint on the street, through which we were motioned to the front of the line and waved through, (this always makes me feel guilty), then not 50 meters away, another two checkpoints had been set up to control entry into the Old City, at the top of the steps leading down to the gate. Puzzled, we turned the corner to stop in and pick up some falafel before heading to the demonstration, when we came to a full stop at the scene ahead of us. The Israeli military and police were in full force, some on horseback, some in riot gear and they flanked a large gathering of Muslims sitting in neat rows, listening to someone making an impassioned speech.

What was going on?

It turns out, and I’m not sure exactly why, that Palestinian males under 45 years old are not allowed into the Old City (to their mosques) on Fridays, their holy day, and thus to pray. To protest, they gather non-violently and have their prayers across the street from the gate. I was humbled. We had arrived during the sermon and observed quietly as they prayed.