Restrictions on Adhan at Hebron’s Ibrahimi Mosque Continue for 75 Days Amid Religious Freedom Concerns

Restrictions on Adhan at Hebron’s Ibrahimi Mosque Continue for 75 Days Amid Religious Freedom Concerns
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The Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron has reportedly been prevented from broadcasting the adhan (call to prayer) for the 75th consecutive day, according to Palestinian religious authorities and the mosque’s administration. The restriction began on June 21, 2026, with Israeli authorities citing maintenance work as the reason for the measure. Palestinian officials have rejected the justification, saying the prolonged ban represents a violation of religious rights and threatens the historical and religious character of the site.

The director of the mosque, Sheikh Mutaz Abu Sneineh, said the continued restriction has affected daily Muslim prayers and described it as an attempt to impose new realities at one of Islam’s most significant religious sites in Palestine.

The developments come amid broader tensions surrounding religious sites in the West Bank and Jerusalem. Palestinian officials have repeatedly reported restrictions on Muslim worshippers’ access to the Ibrahimi Mosque and Al-Aqsa Mosque, while Israeli authorities say their measures are related to security concerns and administrative arrangements.

The Ibrahimi Mosque, located in the Old City of Hebron, is considered a major Islamic heritage site and is also associated with the burial place of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham). The site has remained a focus of disputes since the 1994 massacre and subsequent division of the mosque between Muslim and Jewish worship areas.