...BETHLEHEM, PALESTINE - JUNE 6, 2025: Muslims in the Israeli-occupied West Bank city of Bethlehem gathered on Friday morning, June 6, to perform the Eid al-Adha prayer in the courtyard of the Church of the Nativity, a site traditionally believed to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ and one of Christianity’s most revered locations. The prayer was led by Sheikh Abdul Majeed Amarneh, the Grand Mufti of Bethlehem. During the sermon, themes of unity, patience, and resilience were addressed in the context of ongoing regional conditions. The event occurred under the backdrop of continued tensions in the West Bank, where access to religious and public spaces is often affected by security measures and movement restrictions. The use of the Church of the Nativity's courtyard as a prayer site highlights the shared religious and cultural history of the city and reflects a practice of interfaith accommodation in the area. The prayer concluded peacefully and in accordance with Islamic tradition. Eid al-Adha, or the Festival of Sacrifice, marks the end of the annual pilgrimage to Mecca or Hajj, during which Muslims slaughter goats, sheep and other animals. The Hajj pilgrimage is the fifth pillar of the Islamic faith which must be performed by all Muslims if financially viable at least once in their lives. It includes several rituals meant to symbolize the essential concepts of the Islamic faith and to commemorate the trials of Prophet Abraham and his family. Writing by Nur Zeynep Dukmen