Gazans hold Ramadan prayers in ruins of flattened mosques
Gazans are holding Ramadan prayers amid the rubble of destroyed mosques after months of heavy Israeli bombardment.
Holding prayers is among one of the few traditions that remain for Gazans marking the holy month, amid hunger and devastation as the war continues.
At least 223 mosques have been destroyed in Gaza since the war began on October 7, while about 300 have been damaged, authorities say. The Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs in Gaza estimates the cost of the damage to mosques at $500 million.
Al Omari Mosque, one of Gaza’s largest and oldest – built more than 1,400 years ago – was destroyed in Israeli air strikes. Imam Sheikh Fadi Aarif continues to hold prayers amid the rubble.
The absence of mosques has a profound effect on the observance of Ramadan. At this time of year, the sound of prayers can usually be heard across the enclave. This year, it has been replaced by the sound of Israeli bombs.
Hudhaifa Al Masri, who was the imam of a mosque in Beit Hanoun before the war, held prayers in Jabalia refugee camp and condemned Israel.
“Only a very few mosques remain, with the rest flattened in an attempt to eradicate all Islamic religious landmarks,” he told The National. “Due to the war this year, people have been deprived of all these rituals due to the extensive destruction of mosques.
“The image of people coming to taraweeh prayer makes me and all the Muslims so happy, but this scene is absent this year, unfortunately.”
However, he still encourages people to observe the holy month. “We have held prayers in the courtyards of displacement centres and some public spaces,” he said. “Some people have been keen on conducting Quran memorisation circles to teach the youth and recite verses from the Quran to them.”
Residents of Al Remal in Gaza city also conduct taraweeh prayers near Al Abbas Mosque, which was destroyed in the first week of the war.
“In the north of the Gaza Strip, there isn’t a single mosque left, but we insist on and are keen on holding prayers and
taraweeh prayers in public squares and fields despite the danger and repeated targeting from the occupation,” Mohammed Al Kafarn, from northern Gaza, told The National.
“We always feel that victory may be closer to us every time we get closer to our God. That’s why I and many like me are keen on performing prayers, offering them on time in the open, praying taraweeh prayers.”
In Rafah, in the south of the enclave, people gathered to pray among the ruins of Al Farooq Mosque.
Many residents, such as Ahmad Abu Hashim, have been encouraging others to take part in taraweeh prayers in the rubble.
“They destroyed our homes and mosques but they will not destroy our relationship with God,” Mr Abu Hashim said. “The sound of the Quran spreading among people gives you inner peace, and makes you feel sure that everything hard we experience will be only a memory.”
Before the war, Rafah had 300,000 residents. The city is now home to more than 1.5 million displaced Gazans after the Israeli incursion.
Many are fearful of the prospect of another ground incursion, which the US, EU and UN have warned Israel against.
More than 31,600 people have been killed since the Hamas attacks on southern Israel on October 7, in which about 1,200 died. About 240 others were taken hostage by Hamas militants.