[Today’s Prayer] Israeli-Muslim conflict from the first day of Ramadan... Al-Aqsa is ‘the calm before the storm’

As the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan begins, tensions are rising in the Middle East.

As ceasefire negotiations failed, the war continues in the Gaza Strip, Palestine, and fighting broke out from the first day as the Israeli authorities mobilized thousands of police to control Muslims' visits to the holy 'Al-Aqsa' mosque. Hamas took advantage of Ramadan to stimulate a Muslim uprising.

Saudi Arabia, a Sunni Islamic suzerain state, announced on the 11th that the crescent moon was observed in Mecca, marking the beginning of the first day of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.

In particular, as tensions in the region are higher than ever this year due to the war between Israel and Hamas, there is also the possibility that Ramadan could become a catalyst for escalation of war in the Middle East.

The world's attention is focused on the Al-Aqsa Mosque in East Jerusalem. This is a place where Muslims, Jews, and Christians visit every year during Ramadan and riots break out.

Hamas was so obsessed with the mosque that it called the terrorist operation on October 7 last year the “Flood of Al-Aqsa.”

Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh and others are stimulating Muslim public sentiment by saying that Palestinians should gather at Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan.

Israel, which is in charge of security here, has deployed thousands of police officers to the alleys around Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Up until now, the Israeli authorities have been avoiding conflict by separating Muslims, Jews, and Christians, but during Ramadan, when tens of thousands of people gather, riots often occur, shouting for 'freedom of religion'.

On this day, the first day of Ramadan, a physical fight broke out between Muslims and the police. According to local media, the police kept high tension with Muslims, wielding batons to prevent them from approaching.

Israeli police said, “We are trying to enable freedom of worship and ensure safety at the Temple Mount in accordance with instructions issued by the political leadership.”

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Hamas is waging diplomatic warfare during the religious observance of Ramadan and based on Israel's hard-line stance. The calculation is that if Israel is diplomatically isolated and bloodshed erupts in Jerusalem, pressure from the international community for a ceasefire will increase further.

Source: Maeil Business Newspaper

Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews then said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?” But he was speaking about the temple of his body. (John 2:19-21)

As Ramadan begins, we hear about the conflict between Palestine and Israel over the Al-Aqsa mosque.

In particular, with the possibility that Ramadan could become an escalation in the Middle East due to the war between Israel and Hamas this year also being raised, we sde that it is a time to pray for peace in Jerusalem more than ever.

Lord, we ask you to allow them to realize how futile the fight between Israel and Palestine over the site of the temple in Jerusalem is.

Would you help these two peoples realize that Jesus is the kingdom and temple of God.

Whenever we prayed and preached the gospel during Ramadan, we saw many souls return.

May the Holy Spirit of truth guide the path of these two peoples who are thirsty for the truth and let them run toward the kingdom of God with Jesus as their temple.

May the political forces that prevent Israel and Palestine from loving each other lose their power, and may there be grace that opens the doors of heaven when the global churches unite in prayer against Ramadan.

We believe in the resurrection of Jesus who rose again after three days. May the gospel of peace, which no one else can give, fill all of Israel and Palestine during this Ramadan, and may the nations quickly see the return of the Lord!