Feast night

Crowds at Herod's Gate

 Yesterday night the muslims celebrated Laylat al Qader or the Night of Destiny. It's actually several things that are commemorated. Firstly it recalls the first verses of the Quran revealed to Mohammed. Then it recalls the heavens opening tonight and God hears all the prayers of the people and forgives sins. Then it also marks God recording your destiny for this year. So its a combination of events. There were thousands and thousands of muslims entering the Old City to get into the Al Aqsa Mosque. I didn't expect it. I walked home from work at 5.15pm but saw the massive crowds at Damascus Gate. No one was moving anywhere. I was afraid of being crushed so I stayed as far away as possible.

Damascus Gate jammed

Going down to Herod's Gate, there was a long trail of other muslims doing the same. Herod's Gate was equally jammed with people no one could move forwards or backwards. I stood there for a full hour hoping for a break in between so I go get in. No chance. So I walked back to Damascus Gate and sat under the palm trees for another hour. By 7.30pm when the cannon fires and the fast is broken, the City Gates will be empty. Everyone will be eating and no one will be moving around. 

So sure enough after 2 hours, the cannon boomed and everyone sat down where they were ... mostly in the parks outside the City Gates, but also along the streets on the floor. That was my chance to enter the City and get home. 

Crowds walking to Herods Gate

The prayers at the mosque went on all night and crowds after dinner milled around. Newspapers say 250,000 muslims were inside the Old City! I'm not surprised. The noise they made till 5am kept me awake. I was terribly exhausted when I went to work this morning. Had to grab half an hour's nap in the afternoon otherwise I'd get dizzy and unproductive at work, unable to focus and concentrate. I hope to be able to sleep better tonight.