Istanbul, March 18 -- A group of women staged a symbolic protest at the historic Fatih Mosque in Istanbul on the night of Laylat al-Qadr, drawing attention to the continued closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem since February 28.

The mosque was packed with worshippers on Monday evening, with men praying on the lower floor and women in the designated upper section.

After prayers, several women removed their headscarves and dropped or threw them towards the male congregation below.

Witnesses said some of the women called out to men, urging them to "stand up for Al-Aqsa Mosque" and describing it as "the honour of Muslims."

Many men present appeared unaware of the protest and were taken by surprise as the headscarves fell into the prayer...