Masjid Al Aqsa & Ramadhan

[bugmenot]

Hope we visit it one day Not as visitors.

Allahumma Aameen !

[ummsara]

Once you've obtained your entry visa to Israel, that is sufficient for your stay in Jerusalem and for entry to Masjid al Aqsa. At times however the Israelis restrict acces to Al Aqsa for those under the age of 40.

[Salman_Hanafi]

Once you've obtained your entry visa to Israel, that is sufficient for your stay in Jerusalem and for entry to Masjid al Aqsa. At times however the Israelis restrict acces to Al Aqsa for those under the age of 40.

this means muslims from countries like pakistan cannot visit masjid e aqsa through peaceful means.... damn....the saudis have that under 40 restriction for umrah as well...maybe they took the idea from the israelis!!!

[Aqeela]

this means muslims from countries like pakistan cannot visit masjid e aqsa through peaceful means.... damn....the saudis have that under 40 restriction for umrah as well...maybe they took the idea from the israelis!!!

Ive never heard of anyone not being able to perform Umrah because they have not turned 40 yet :/

[Amina k]

Salaam All,

I hope to visit Al Aqsa in a couple of months inshallah. First we r travelling to Jordan, Amman. I have a few queries if any 1 can kindly help....

Can I just cross the border with my family or do I have join a group travelling under tour operator? (I've been told that if a rep. isn't waiting for u at the other end then the "immigration" would be tougher?)

Hotel bookings - do they need to be done under tour operator or can i do then myself (like always when travelling n e where else!)

Also to visit Hebron do I need a rep/tour guild with me at checkpoints or can I just hire a taxi to visit tombs etc.

Another thing thats bugging me, when crossing back do I have to before 2.30 pm or is the gate (for leaving) open till 10pm?

jazzak Allahu kairan...

[Amina k]

Sister ur post re: "getting 2 meet lovely older women travelling by foot", the view of the Al Aqsa and the mention of cobbled pathing has made me change my mind about staying in a four star to staying in Hashimi hotel....Thanks for the inspiring positive advice.

[Aqeela]

Salaam All,

I hope to visit Al Aqsa in a couple of months inshallah. First we r travelling to Jordan, Amman. I have a few queries if any 1 can kindly help....

Can I just cross the border with my family or do I have join a group travelling under tour operator? (I've been told that if a rep. isn't waiting for u at the other end then the "immigration" would be tougher?)

Hotel bookings - do they need to be done under tour operator or can i do then myself (like always when travelling n e where else!)

Also to visit Hebron do I need a rep/tour guild with me at checkpoints or can I just hire a taxi to visit tombs etc.

Another thing thats bugging me, when crossing back do I have to before 2.30 pm or is the gate (for leaving) open till 10pm?

jazzak Allahu kairan...

Ok by applying my knowledge from Saudi I can tell you that everything is way easier if you do go in a group with a tour operator simply because they know what to do and it does speed everything up. I have heard about people having to wait for much longer simply because they have not come with a tour operator. I know this is a different country but I am assuming because of all the troubles in them countries it may be harder than going to Saudi.

For hotel bookings it is also better to book with a tour operator since they tend to know about hotels which do not always appear on the internet, but may be of a better quality or cheaper than you booking them yourself.

Have a good time on your holiday, may you have a fulfilling time. InshaAllah I will go there one day too Ameen, Thumameen

[nhussa22]

Wasalaam,

All thanks is to Allah who gave me the ability and opportunity to visitng Al Aqsa last Ramadan, mark my words, it has instilled this love and affection for Palestine and Jerusalem that I am already planning on going this Ramadan.

I will answer your questions as best I can...

Salaam All,

I hope to visit Al Aqsa in a couple of months inshallah. First we r travelling to Jordan, Amman. I have a few queries if any 1 can kindly help....

Can I just cross the border with my family or do I have join a group travelling under tour operator? (I've been told that if a rep. isn't waiting for u at the other end then the "immigration" would be tougher?)

You can cross the border however you wish, being with a group might feel safer but no matter what, you will be held at the border control and quite possibly interrogated individually. I went with 2 friends (all muslim, we're all 22 years of age, I have a beard, the others don't) which can be seen as a possible threat however, we met Sheikh Rafiq Sufi and his group and both of us were held for around 8 hours. Just to give you an idea... we got to the border at around 9am and were let out the other end at 5pm (the border closed at 12.30pm on Friday) They basically just make you wait, repeatedly ask you the same types of questions, purpose of visit, family background, places to visit etc. They were particularly interested in my fathers background being pakistani.

Hotel bookings - do they need to be done under tour operator or can i do then myself (like always when travelling n e where else!)

You can do these yourself, I stayed at Golden Gate Hostel which is next to Hashimi and was cheaper however, if you are going with a family, Hashimi is popular with families, especially muslim tourists.

Also to visit Hebron do I need a rep/tour guild with me at checkpoints or can I just hire a taxi to visit tombs etc.

My only regret is I never got to visit this area however, I am told this can be done yourself but again, may be difficult in terms of experience

Another thing thats bugging me, when crossing back do I have to before 2.30 pm or is the gate (for leaving) open till 10pm?

I don't remember off the top of my head, I used the lonely planet book which was very useful however, when you're planning to cross back into Jordan, I would advise you go 1st thing in the morning just so you don't miss any salaah. We went at 8am and got let out within 45 mins! Just goes to show they will almost kick you out the country without hurry.

jazzak Allahu kairan...

I hope this helps, if you have any further questions, fire away. Remember me in your duas insha Allah.

[Amina k]

Wasalaam,

All thanks is to Allah who gave me the ability and opportunity to visitng Al Aqsa last Ramadan, mark my words, it has instilled this love and affection for Palestine and Jerusalem that I am already planning on going this Ramadan.

I will answer your questions as best I can...



I hope this helps, if you have any further questions, fire away. Remember me in your duas insha Allah.

Jazzak Allahu Kairun brother,
your info is very useful and detailed which really helps! Especially regarding groups. NE 1 I've been in touch with has been in groups so I wasn't sure if I was doing the right thing by dragging children along too! I also thought you had to arrange accomodation through reputable traver/tour agents (like you do when going to Hajj!) I feel much more relieved brother after reading your blog! I also managed to book family rooms at Hashimi. As I have children with me I need to take food, especially for the youngest one;
Can you take food & items such as laptops through the check point?
Is it true brother that they mostly stamp "Arab terrotories Only" on form which means u won't be able to visit places like Hebron and Nablus? How do I avoid this?
Sorry to throw more questions at you brother! Fi Ammanillah.

[nhussa22]

Jazzak Allahu Kairun brother,
your info is very useful and detailed which really helps! Especially regarding groups. NE 1 I've been in touch with has been in groups so I wasn't sure if I was doing the right thing by dragging children along too! I also thought you had to arrange accomodation through reputable traver/tour agents (like you do when going to Hajj!) I feel much more relieved brother after reading your blog! I also managed to book family rooms at Hashimi. As I have children with me I need to take food, especially for the youngest one;
Can you take food & items such as laptops through the check point?
Is it true brother that they mostly stamp "Arab terrotories Only" on form which means u won't be able to visit places like Hebron and Nablus? How do I avoid this?
Sorry to throw more questions at you brother! Fi Ammanillah.

No problem at all, anything you need to know, I will do my best to help you. I personally think everybody should make an effort to visit Al Aqsa to see with their own eyes the situation, after all, the Muslims are doing the fardh for all of us around the world.

I would definitely advise you to take food with you, there is a little counter that sells crisps etc but is expensive and not great. I made that mistake, didn't eat from about 8am-6pm when we crossed over. I would advise you don't carry a laptop with you unless you really really need to just incase they check it, will just be a longer unnecessary process.

As for the stamp, make sure you ask them to stamp the slip and not the passport but no, they won't stamp with any restrictions as far as i'm aware. I told them I only planned to visit Jerusalem and they gave me the standard stamp so I could have visited the West Bank.

When are you planning to go? Is it your 1st time? I hope it all works out for you, trust me when I say, it is quite possibly the most amazing experience, when you 1st step into the grounds, all the history comes flooding back, I was in awe, loved it!

Wasalaam

Nasir