DayofPal– The Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs in Gaza has released a devastating report detailing the extensive damage inflicted on the mosques and other religious institutions in the aftermath of the war.
According to the ministry, a staggering 1109 mosques—representing 89% of the total 1244 mosques in Gaza—were targeted by Israeli airstrikes, leaving them either completely or partially destroyed.
Among these, 834 mosques were obliterated beyond recognition, reduced to rubble, while 275 mosques sustained severe structural damage, rendering them unusable.
The destruction was not limited to Islamic places of worship; three churches in Gaza City were also completely destroyed, further deepening the humanitarian and cultural crisis unfolding in the besieged enclave.
Beyond houses of worship, 643 waqf properties—buildings and lands dedicated to religious and charitable purposes—were also decimated. The Israeli attacks extended to 30 religious institutions and 30 administrative offices, including the headquarters of the ministry and the Quran Radio station.
Additionally, 20 ministry-owned vehicles were either wholly or partially destroyed.
The human toll has been just as devastating. The ministry mourns the loss of 315 of its staff members, imams, and preachers, who were killed during the bombardment, while 27 others remain detained.
In response to the widespread devastation, the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs has announced the launch of the Minarets Coalition for the Reconstruction of Mosques and Religious Institutions.
This initiative aims to unite religious and charitable organizations both inside and outside Gaza in a concerted effort to restore the spiritual heart of the war-torn strip.
The coalition has already gained support from more than 30 countries, forming a high-level alliance to oversee and support the rebuilding of religious sites and waqf properties.
The initiative seeks to channel both governmental and grassroots efforts into reconstructing the mosques and institutions vital to Gaza’s religious and social fabric.
With a vision grounded in both Islamic principles and modern development strategies, the Minarets Coalition aims to restore these sacred spaces with resilience and sustainability, ensuring that they serve future generations and continue to be symbols of faith and community in the face of adversity.
Despite the profound loss, the people of Gaza are determined to rebuild. From the ashes of destruction, the call to prayer will rise again ahead the holy month of Ramadan.
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