On the Night of Power, the holiest night of Ramadan, the grandiose solemnity of al-Aqsa compound in Jerusalem acquires an atmosphere of spiritual fervour, as hundreds of thousands of Muslim worshippers congregate at this revered site. The sound of prayers hums among the gorgeous walls of the multiple mosques within the complex, all richly decorated with mosaics and marble.
Shot on this special occasion, Abrar Hussain’s documentary interweaves awe-inspiring aerial footage of al-Aqsa with intimate shots of the faithful. Many of them are Palestinians from the West Bank who endure numerous Israeli security checkpoints, adding excruciatingly long hours to their journey. Indeed, the omnipresence of the Israeli occupation looms large over the convivial and moving scenes of worshippers praying or breaking bread at the end of their fast. Efforts to construct more washroom facilities around the site have been thwarted by Israeli authorities, creating health risks for those in attendance.
Nevertheless, a touching sense of solidarity arises from the sections dedicated to the countless volunteers who work tirelessly to ensure the safety of the evening. Considering the dynamism of their testimonials, Hussain’s documentary could perhaps have taken a more observational approach; instead, it relies on a booming, old-fashioned voiceover that describes everything that happens on-screen. Given how the landscape of contemporary film-making has changed, it feels especially outdated to use the narration to force feed viewers instead of letting the images speak for themselves. However, in spite of its pedestrian style, this documentary is a valuable window into the lengths that Palestinians have to go to simply to celebrate their faith.
• One Night in al-Aqsa is released on 18 February, and tours.
