Israel’s war on Gaza silences its historic mosques
Palestinians walk past a destroyed mosque in Gaza City on 24 November 2023
Ruwaida Amer writes in Middle East Eye on 1 January 2024:
In a series of targeted strikes during its ongoing bombardment of Gaza, the Israeli army laid waste to dozens of mosques, including the iconic Al-Omari Mosque, renowned for its historical and archaeological significance.
The destruction has left Palestinians, both in Gaza and in the diaspora, mourning the loss of a mosque with a unique heritage.
Since 7 October, Israeli forces have completely or partially destroyed more than 300 mosques and three churches. As a consequence, the affected neighbourhoods now suffer a void during prayer times, missing the soul-stirring call to prayer that once echoed throughout the city.
“We no longer hear the call to prayer in our neighbourhood due to the complete destruction of the eastern area in the city, including the mosques,” said Khaled Abu Jame, a 25-year-old resident of the southern city of Khan Younis.
“Residents here now follow the call to prayer through their phones. This war has been unlike anything we’ve experienced before. Mosques, a symbol of our faith, have been targeted indiscriminately.”
Reflecting on the cherished memories associated with the Al-Omari Mosque, Jame emphasised its central role in daily life. “We have beautiful memories of the mosque. We used to pray there daily, perform Ramadan and Eid prayers, read the Quran, and meet as friends,” he told MEE.
‘Heart of community’
Jame pointed out that mosques have been deeply woven into their lives since childhood. The call to prayer serves as their morning wake-up and the mosque stands as a guiding landmark for anyone searching for their homes, he explained. It’s more than a mere building; it represents “the heart of the community”.
Jame emphasised that rebuilding their neighbourhood is closely tied to reconstructing the mosques since these places are not a secondary consideration but rather the primary foundation of their lives.
The Grand Omari Mosque was established during Caliph Omar bin al-Khattab’s reign. Once a Roman temple and later a church, it became the largest mosque post-Islamic conquest. Located in Gaza’s old city, near Palestine Square, it spans 4,100 sqm, with a courtyard of 1,190 sq m accommodating over 3,000 worshippers.