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Coronavirus: Famous mosques reopen in Saudi Arabia and Jerusalem
May 31, 2020
Some of the most important sites in Islam have reopened two months after the coronavirus pandemic forced them to shut, allowing worshippers to enter under strict guidelines.
Hundreds of Muslims filed into Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque, Islam's third holiest site, for morning prayers on Sunday.
Some chanted "God is great", while others kissed the ground as crowds entered.
Inside, precautions were taken to reduce the risk of the virus spreading.
Worshippers had their temperatures checked, stood at a distance from each other, and were asked to wear masks and bring their own prayer mats.
"After they opened the mosque, I feel like I can breathe again. Thanks be to God," said Umm Hisham, from Jerusalem, appearing emotional as he walked into the mosque.
The Al-Aqsa Mosque, and many other holy sites, have been off limits to Muslims since mid-March, meaning they were unable to host daily prayers during Ramadan.
Muslims fast under coronavirus lockdowns
Though the threat of the coronavirus still remains, many countries are easing restrictions in a gradual way after weeks of lockdown, opening up holy sites to limited numbers of worshippers and visitors.
In Saudi Arabia on Sunday, there were similar scenes at the Prophet's Mosque in the city of Medina, where worshippers gathered for prayers.
The mosque was one of around 90,000 that were being prepared for reopening by Saudi authorities.
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