Last Friday of Ramadan

What a scene in the Old City right now. Thousands upon thousands of muslims flock into the Old City to enter the Al Aqsa mosque for the final Friday prayers of Ramadan. Next Friday is Eid el Fitr, the end of Ramadan. They started cramming in as early as 9am when prayers should have started at noon. The place was packed ... and Israeli police/military presence is very very heavy. Every 10 metres stand a group of police/soldiers.

Today's called Jerusalem Day by muslims - established by the late Ayatollah Khomeini - to protest against Israel. Alot of threats from islamic groups of greater violence. And disgruntled Jews over the Washington peace talks and the deaths of Israelis the past few days, have added their voice to proactive resistance and violence. It's going to be a very very tense week. Ramadan ends on Sept. 10-11 and Rosh HaShana begins on Sept. 8-9. It's a clash I dream never to see.

And the islamist are extra strict this year. Men and women have to walk on different sides of the street - even in the narrow road between the 3rd Station of the Cross to the 5th Station. Men shouting and beating sticks threaten the women to move to the right side of the road while men walk on the left. Even Damascus Gate has a barrier so men and women ascend or descend on different sides of the staircase. I was stuck in the middle of a group women because I had to turn to the right lane that leads to my house. I almost expected the stick swiveling men to beat me up. Frightening experience. Crowds just kept pressing forward and people shouting and screaming.

Helicopters are flying overhead and the blimp with panorama camera is floating above. Way of the Cross today is cancelled because of fears of violence. But I think this is nothing compared to what will happen next week when Ramadan ends and the Jewish New Year falls on dates that are hours apart.