Race against time to save Gaza’s historic Omari Mosque

Amid the devastation caused by the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip, a group of volunteers is racing against time to restore and protect the historic Great Omari Mosque and its ancient library, one of Palestine’s most significant cultural and religious landmarks.

Working through rubble and dust in the narrow alleyways of the Old City, the team is undertaking a delicate mission to revive the mosque, which suffered extensive destruction during the war, while also safeguarding its historic manuscripts and architectural heritage.

Located in the Al-Daraj neighbourhood, southeast of Palestine Square, the mosque stands near traditional markets such as Al-Qaysariya (Gold Market) and Al-Zawiya Market. Covering approximately 1,600 square meters, it can accommodate more than 3,000 worshippers, making it one of the largest mosques in Gaza.

The Great Omari Mosque is considered the third largest mosque in Palestine, after Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Ahmad Pasha al-Jazzar Mosque.

READ: Investigation accuses Greek shipping firms of supplying Israel during Gaza war

Architecturally, the mosque reflects a rich Islamic heritage, featuring 38 marble columns, circular arches, high domes, and a courtyard built of Karak sandstone adorned with intricate decorations. Its Mamluk-style minaret, with a square base and octagonal tiers, remains one of its most distinctive features.

Named after Umar ibn al-Khattab, the mosque traces its history back centuries. The site originally served as a pagan temple, later converted into a Byzantine church in the 5th century, before being rebuilt as a mosque following the Islamic conquest in the 7th century.

Over successive Islamic eras — including the Umayyad, Abbasid, Fatimid, Mamluk, and Ottoman periods — the mosque underwent multiple restorations and expansions, embedding it deeply within Gaza’s historical identity.

Today, those leading the restoration effort warn that beyond physical destruction, there is a risk of cultural erasure, particularly targeting the mosque’s historic library, making their work not only a reconstruction effort but also a defence of Gaza’s heritage and collective memory.

READ: Extremist Israeli minister storms Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque again amid ongoing closure