Masjid Al Aqsa & Ramadhan

[ummsara]

To those asking about travelling to the Blessed Land with children:

1. Travelling directly through Tel Aviv 10 years ago was for me with my children aged 3,2 and 1, the easiest route because it was quicker. We were honest when asked about our purpose of visiting.
We simply said 'to visit the holy places'. We expected to be questioned and face longer security checks, just as one expects a long wait at Jeddah Airport when one arrives for Hajj. My husband wore his normal jubbah etc. We were not taken in for questioning. Yes no one really smiled but that just meant we didn't have to smile back. On our departure from Tel Aviv, they scrutinised all our belongings even running a scanner over the babies nappies! Though they very politely told us this was not because they thought we had planted devices in our baggage, but because we had been to Gaza etc. someone else may have! When we realised they were taking long and the kids were getting agitated, we did what you would normally do in such a situation ; we asked them politely to be quick. they complied and added a few more people to our security check.

2. Travelling via Jordan on a umrah trip wasn't too bad either. You just have to get your timings right.
I personally felt that the wait though only a few hours, was longer than at the airport. Again I felt due to the children we were not taken in for questioning etc. There was also more getting on and off busses from the airport to one border control through security checks and waiting and then another border control then another ride to al quds! but worth all the waiting etc. if its 3 Holy Masajid in one journey.

3. Lastly, we didn't experience any major difficulties and most children adapt to new environments very quickly as long as their primary needs of food,drink and sleep are met. Regular treats also work! However, travelling with children to such a blessed place is worth every difficulty or minor inconvenience faced. This is one of the only types of mujahadah some of us face in our lives. And why not for such a noble cause?! The masjid requires our attention and we should visit it and claim it as our holy site

[Sulaiman84]

I really like threads where links to live tilaawah of Qur'an are posted. Very soothing to the rooh.

[Taliban1]

Hope we visit it one day Not as visitors.

[ENIGMA]

Would love to go but alas,the kids are abit too young yet.

[Abu Haitham]

Hope we visit it one day Not as visitors.

Ameen.

[mmb786]

Masjid Al Aqsa Taraweeh: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUvWOqGtZLk

A few questions:

1. Has anyone been to Masjid Al Aqsa in Ramadhan? Please share your experiences.

2. Does Masjid Al Aqsa have airconditioning?

3. How large is the sister's section and is it easy to find a place to pray taraweeh there in Ramadhan?

4. Besides Hashimi Hotel in the old quarter, are there any other higher rated hotels in the old quarter (Muslim/Christian)?

5. Outside the old quarter in East Jerusalem, can you recommend any hotels?

6. Is there any way of taking a taxi from East Jerusalem to outside of Masjid Al Aqsa, or can it only reach the walls of the old quarter?

can i plz have the name of the imam reciting in this vid?
thnx 4 sharing, most awesome recitation

[Sulaiman84]

can i plz have the name of the imam reciting in this vid?
thnx 4 sharing, most awesome recitation

Sister,

It says it in the comments to the vid, I think.

القارئ فضيلة الشيخ سعيد ملحم القلقيلي

[mmb786]

Sister,

It says it in the comments to the vid, I think.

القارئ فضيلة الشيخ سعيد ملحم القلقيلي

okay. thnx, i missed that. so its shaikh sa'eed mulhim.

[ummsara]

Sister Muminah,
1. Someone who stayed in Ramadhaan this year recommended the New Metropole on Salahuddeen Street as opposed to the Hashimi Hotel. They said although it was outside the old city walls it was a similar distance to the haram and also much cheaper! One would then enter through Herods Gate.

2. I asked them about taxis to haram and they said taxis could drop passengers off past Lions Gate by the graveyard. If there was an elderly person they could be pushed thereafter in a wheelchair easily. If you look at the map of the old city it may help to sort out logisitics!

Hope this helps!

[muminah]

My apologies for not replying earlier. Jazakumullah to all of you replying to my post. I will take each one individually.

UmHasan: Jazakumullah for the very detailed reply. It paints a very clear picture. I've had a look at hashimi hotel website, and reviews and pics of it, and it really isn't worth the price. It is a no star hotel that is charging the rate of at least 3 star hotel. If you could dig out the other hotel details, I'd be grateful

nhussa22: MashaAllah you have visited Al Aqsa in Ramadhan. May I ask which route you took? Also, is there enough space for women to pray in the Dome of Rock in Ramadhan? Also, is there air con in the Dome of Rock? Moreover, where did you eat suhoor and iftaar? Any places you can recommend? Also, who recited taraweeh this ramadhan, and do you know who will be reciting next Ramadhan? Are there also any halaqas/duroos taking place in the masjid? And which part of ramadhan did you go for?

ummsara: Jazakumullah for the details. I've also heard that sometimes it is easier to take the Tel Aviv route, it is just quicker. I've also heard of people taking the Taba route, which was quicker not because of journey time, but crossing the border took couple of minutes (probably because that border is not open to Egyptians). Thanks for details on the New Metropole. I'll have a look into it inshaAllah.

May Allah take us all to the blessed land. Aameen.

Btw is anyone aware of the rules for Arabs entering Israel? From what I heard from some Jordanian friends, they said it was 'very difficult' for them to go, and thus had not been.