A group of Israeli Jews who arrived at Jerusalem's Temple Mount to test freedom of religion for Jews in the Jewish state by praying at the ancient compound were turned away by police who claimed a previously unknown Muslim holiday was being celebrated there.

The officers were unable to come up with a name for the alleged Muslim holy day when questioned by the Jewish visitors, reported Israel National News.

Last week, Israeli Internal Security Minister Avi Dichter threatened to arrest any Jew who was found praying atop the Temple Mount, which, despite being Judaism's holiest site, is occupied and controlled by Islamic authorities that refuse to tolerate Jewish or Christian prayers.