Palestinians in the Gaza Strip performed Taraweeh prayers on Tuesday evening, marking the first night of Ramadan, on the ruins of destroyed mosques and in makeshift prayer spaces set up inside tents made of nylon and wood. The prayers were held amid the vast destruction left by what Palestinians describe as genocide committed by Israel.
On Tuesday evening, the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem and the Palestinian Territories and head of the Supreme Fatwa Council, Mohammed Hussein, announced that Wednesday would be the first day of the holy month of Ramadan for the year 1447 AH.
This is the first Ramadan for residents of the enclave since the cessation of the genocide. It comes amid widespread devastation and dire humanitarian conditions. Over the past two years, the holy month was observed under the shadow of war and famine, with many families unable to secure basic food supplies for iftar and suhoor.
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Palestinians set up temporary prayer areas on the rubble of mosques after more than 1,015 mosques were targeted during the war. According to data from the Government Media Office in Gaza, more than 835 mosques were completely destroyed and over 180 were partially damaged during the two years of conflict.
An Anadolu correspondent reported that worshippers performed Taraweeh prayers as Israeli surveillance drones continued to fly over the territory. During the prayers, they called on God to ease their suffering, end their hardship and improve the severe conditions faced by residents.
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