The hardship of travel hasn't spared his old age.. An elderly man is mistreated by the occupation and deprived of praying at Al-Aqsa
An elderly Palestinian man faces restrictions imposed by Israeli authorities, preventing him from praying at Al-Aqsa Mosque despite his long-standing connection to the site.
The article highlights the plight of an elderly Palestinian man, Khair Al-Din Shami, known as 'Abu Bakr Shami', who has been barred from the Al-Aqsa Mosque due to Israeli-imposed restrictions. For the past 15 years, he has faced a forced exclusion from the mosque, which has turned his anticipated Ramadan into a time filled with sorrow and longing. Despite the physical distance separating him from one of Islam's holiest sites, he still seeks to connect with fellow worshippers and expresses his longing for the mosque, demonstrating the emotional toll of such restrictions.
Born in 1958 in the village of Al-Makr near Akka, Shami considers his true birth date to be the one that marks the beginning of his commitment to Al-Aqsa Mosque, which began in 2011. The article illustrates not only his personal suffering but also serves as a broader commentary on the experiences of many Palestinians who face similar restrictions. As Shami watches from afar, he exchanges greetings with those entering the mosque, showcasing a sense of shared community and resilience despite being kept at bay by the occupation's policies.
The emotional narrative of Shami underscores the impact of political oppression on the daily lives of individuals. His story reflects the struggles of many Palestinians during Ramadan, a time meant for prayer and congregation, yet marred by the reality of displacement and exclusion from sacred spaces. This ongoing situation raises critical questions about religious freedom and human rights in the context of Israeli-Palestinian relations.