The Jerusalemite Wedding Procession

Because the Old City of Jerusalem is the epicenter of the conflict, the Jerusalemites dedicated their whole social lives to serve the cause and defend the city’s Arab character and nationality. Al-Aqsa yard is considered a starting point for Jerusalemites social events; they pray on their dead, document marriage contracts, accept condolences, take congratulations on newborns, and start wedding processions in Al-Aqsa.^[1]

Groom procession is a Jerusalemite tradition that starts from Al-Aqsa mosque and walks the alleyways of the old city. During the procession people sing national songs, raise Palestinian flags and shoot fireworks.^[2]

This tradition aims at stressing the relation between Palestinians and Al-Aqsa mosque by connecting it to every single life aspect and declaring it the starting point for a new life while refusing, at the same time, any Judaization trail.

For this reason,right after the Jerusalem uprising in 2015, the Israeli occupation prohibited free wedding processions in the Old City, and imposed many restrictions on them. Jerusalemites were asked to get a permit for their processions that would determine their exact route. They were also prohibited from using fireworks or raising flags, under the penalty of attacking the wedding and arresting the groom.^[3]

Despite all attempts of frustration, Jerusalemites still start their wedding processions from Al-Aqsa mosque, and consider it to be a message of challenge and steadfastness.