Latest news with #PalestinianMinistryofAwqafandReligiousAffairs
Jordan Times
27-04-2025
- Politics
- Jordan Times
Gaza's historic mosques, shrines reduced to rubble in Israeli offensive
Qasr Al Basha destroyed by Israeli offensive in Gaza Strip (Photo of J.-M de Tarragon) AMMAN — Not a single historic mosque in Gaza remains untouched following months of relentless Israeli bombardment, according to British archaeologist Claudine Dauphin. 'Every historic mosque in Gaza has been either partially or completely destroyed,' said Dauphin, who is affiliated with several archaeological missions in the region. Among the most significant losses are the Omari Mosque and the KatibWilaya Mosque, both located in the Zaytun quarter of Gaza's Old City. The KatibWilaya Mosque was originally constructed with funding from Ahmad Bey, the province's chief secretary (katibwilaya) in 1586 during the Ottoman period. Its minaret once stood beside the bell tower of the Church of St. Procopius, symbolizing centuries of Muslim-Christian coexistence in Gaza—a connection also evident in the mosaic floors of the nearby Jabaliya Church. 'In the Shuja'iyya quarter, the Mamluk-era Zafardamri Mosque, built in 1360, was deliberately leveled in an airstrike,' Dauphin added. 'The Mahkama Mosque, also Mamluk in origin, was similarly destroyed during the 2014 assault and again in the current offensive.' The destruction extended beyond Mamluk and Ottoman heritage. The Othman Bin Qashqar Mosque was struck during an air raid in December 2023, and the Sayyid Hashim Mosque, built in Ottoman style and covering 2,400 square meters, was razed in the Daraj quarter. Shrines, too, have been systematically targeted. The shrine of the Prophet Yusuf near Jabaliya, destroyed in 2014, was followed by widespread losses since October 2023. Among the shrines destroyed are the Al Husseini, Abu Al Azim, Ali Abu Al Kass, and Ali ibn Marwan shrines in Gaza City, as well as the Sheikh 'Ali Al Mintar and Shaykh Radwan shrines on Tel Al-Mintar. Numerous other maqamat (shrines) in Al Shaykh 'Ajlun were also obliterated. Of special cultural and interfaith significance was the shrine of Al Khidr in Rafah, which held particular meaning for Christians who believed it housed the tomb of St. Hilarion, founder of Palestinian monasticism. Modern mosques, built after the Ottoman period, were not spared. According to a January 2024 report by the Palestinian Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs, at least 1,000 of the 1,200 modern mosques in the Gaza Strip have been partially or entirely destroyed. 'Among the losses in Gaza City are the Ali Ibn Marwan, Shaikh Zakaria, Al Mughrabi, and Sett Ruqayya mosques,' Dauphin noted. Cultural and educational institutions were also hit. The Al Kamiliya Madrasa, built in 1237 by Ayyubid Sultan Al Kamil and featuring a central courtyard and two floors, was the last historic madrasa still standing in Gaza before it was destroyed. It had served both as a Quranic school and a shelter for poor students and travelers until 1930. Cemeteries have not been spared either. At least 16 Muslim cemeteries across the Gaza Strip have been damaged or destroyed since October 2023. Among them is the Beit Hanoun Cemetery near Khan Yunis, which was reportedly excavated by Israeli forces. The Israeli military claimed they were searching for a Hamas tunnel or hostages, but provided no evidence, and independent verification of the alleged tunnel has not been possible. 'These sacred spaces, mosques, shrines, schools, and cemeteries, are not only part of Gaza's cultural fabric,' Dauphin said. 'Their destruction represents a profound loss of historical heritage, not just for Palestinians but for humanity.' Page 2
Saudi Gazette
06-04-2025
- Politics
- Saudi Gazette
More than 500 Israeli settlers storm Al-Aqsa Mosque under heavy police protection
JERUSALEM — Over 500 illegal Israeli settlers stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex in occupied East Jerusalem on Sunday, according to Palestinian authorities. In a statement, the Jerusalem Governorate confirmed the incursion took place under the heavy protection of Israeli police forces, who were seen stationed inside the compound during the settler entry. Eyewitnesses reported that the settlers intensified their provocations in the lead-up to the week-long Jewish Passover holiday, which begins on April 12. The Palestinian Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs said Al-Aqsa Mosque was stormed 21 times last month alone, coinciding with the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Figures from the Jerusalem Governorate indicate that 13,064 settlers have illegally entered the compound in the first quarter of 2025. Since 2003, Israeli authorities have allowed settlers to enter the mosque compound almost daily, except on Fridays and Saturdays, a policy widely condemned by Palestinians and much of the international captured East Jerusalem, including the Al-Aqsa compound, in the 1967 Arab-Israeli War and later annexed it in 1980 — a move not recognized by the international community.
Al Manar
07-03-2025
- Politics
- Al Manar
Israeli Occupation Authorities Deny Unrestricted Muslim Access to Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron during Ramadan
The Palestinian Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs has announced that Israeli occupation authorities have refused to hand over all sections of the Ibrahimi Mosque in the Old City of Hebron to the Ministry, as is customary on Fridays during the holy month of Ramadan. In a statement released today, the Ministry called the move a dangerous and unprecedented step, particularly given its timing during the holy month of Ramadan. The Ministry said this was part of a systematic plan to obstruct the full opening of the mosque's halls and courtyards to Muslim worshippers. According to the Ministry, the traditional procedure for the first Friday of Ramadan involves the Ministry's Director and custodians receiving full responsibility for the mosque, preparing to open it entirely to Muslim worshippers. However, this year, officials were shocked when the Israeli occupation authorities prevented access to the Eastern Gate area, which is designated for female worshippers during Friday prayers. This development marks a significant deviation from past practices, where the mosque would be fully accessible to all Muslims on the Fridays of Ramadan. The Ministry expressed concern that, if approved, this move would lead to a permanent shift in control over the mosque, with new restrictions being imposed gradually, furthering efforts by Israeli authorities to take full control over the site. The Ministry further stressed that this action appeared to be aimed at appeasing settler groups who oppose the full opening of the mosque to Muslim worshippers. There are growing fears that these efforts are part of a broader strategy to convert the entire mosque into a synagogue for Jewish worship. Since the beginning of Ramadan, Israeli occupation forces have also restricted access to the mosque for Palestinians under the age of 25. Hamas Statement Hamas issued a statement that the Zionist occupation's attacks against the mosques in the occupied West Bank during the blessed month of Ramadan are a clear escalation of religious warfare. 'Our people will not remain silent in the face of the desecration of their sacred sites.' 'Since the start of the holy month of Ramadan, the Zionist occupation has been intensifying its criminal actions, assaults and desecration against the mosques across the occupied West Bank, including the incursions into Al-Aqsa Mosque and their attempts to judaise it, as well as the ongoing attempts to fully seize the Ibrahimi Mosque,' he added. 'Furthermore, the desecration and burning of several mosques in Nablus city early today reflect the occupation's relentless religious war, which comes as part of the broader aggression against our people and land.' Our Palestinian people and their resistance will remain steadfast, serving as a strong shield to protect their mosques and holy sites, which endure attacks and desecration by the occupation and its terrorist settlers, Hamas said.
Arab News
02-03-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Israeli settlers stormed Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa compound 20 times in February — report
LONDON: Israeli settlers stormed the Al-Aqsa compound in East Jerusalem's Old City almost 20 times in February, according to a monthly report by the Palestinian Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs. The ministry also reported that the number of Israeli settlers touring the Al-Aqsa compound under police protection increased in February. During the same period, Israeli authorities blocked calls to prayer at the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron a total of 44 times. Israeli authorities prevented some employees from accessing the mosque in February following the removal of the mosque's director, Sheikh Moataz Abu Sneineh, from the site, the ministry said. Access to the mosque, located in Hebron's Old City, is possible only through an Israeli military checkpoint that surrounds the area. The ministry condemned the Israeli escalation in Jerusalem and Hebron as Israel announced new restrictions on access to Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan, which began on Saturday. It said that measures introduced at Hebron's Ibrahimi Mosque were an attempt to 'empty the mosque of its people and employees.' Israeli violations were also documented against several West Bank mosques during night raids and military operations in February. These included Barqa Mosque, northwest of Nablus, and Salah Al-Din Mosque in the town of Abu Dis, in East Jerusalem. In Kasra village, south of Nablus, the ministry said Israeli forces fired tear gas canisters in front of the town's mosque during the Maghreb call to prayer, causing difficulty in breathing for some worshippers inside the mosque. The ministry urged international organizations to halt Israeli violations in order to preserve religious, heritage, and historical sites in Palestine, according to a statement.
Arab News
02-03-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Israeli settlers storm Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa compound 20 times in February: report
LONDON: Israeli settlers stormed the Al-Aqsa compound in East Jerusalem's Old City almost 20 times in February, according to a monthly report by the Palestinian Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs. The ministry also reported that the number of Israeli settlers touring the Al-Aqsa compound under police protection increased in February. During the same period, Israeli authorities blocked calls to prayer at the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron a total of 44 times. Israeli authorities prevented some employees from accessing the mosque in February following the removal of the mosque's director, Sheikh Moataz Abu Sneineh, from the site, the ministry said. Access to the mosque, located in Hebron's Old City, is possible only through an Israeli military checkpoint that surrounds the area. The ministry condemned the Israeli escalation in Jerusalem and Hebron as Israel announced new restrictions on access to Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan, which began on Saturday. It said that measures introduced at Hebron's Ibrahimi Mosque were an attempt to 'empty the mosque of its people and employees.' Israeli violations were also documented against several West Bank mosques during night raids and military operations in February. These included Barqa Mosque, northwest of Nablus, and Salah Al-Din Mosque in the town of Abu Dis, in East Jerusalem. In Kasra village, south of Nablus, the ministry said Israeli forces fired tear gas canisters in front of the town's mosque during the Maghreb call to prayer, causing difficulty in breathing for some worshippers inside the mosque. The ministry urged international organizations to halt Israeli violations in order to preserve religious, heritage, and historical sites in Palestine, according to a statement.
