الأراضي المقدسة الخضراء / GHLands
Beneath nylon tarpaulins and surrounded by the ruins of the Martyr Hassan Al-Banna Mosque in the Nuseirat refugee camp, worshippers continue to perform their daily prayers in a temporary prayer hall built through local community efforts. They do so under extremely harsh conditions marked by intense summer heat, a complete lack of electricity, and constant dangers posed by debris and snakes, turning the search for spiritual tranquility into a daily struggle.
Before its destruction, the three-story Martyr Hassan Al-Banna Mosque was one of six central mosques serving the New Camp area of Nuseirat. It was completely destroyed in Israeli airstrikes, along with three of the area's other six main mosques.
With no immediate prospects for reconstruction and no means of clearing the massive rubble, local residents took the initiative to build a temporary prayer hall using wood and tarpaulin sheets. Covering approximately 250 square meters, the structure allows the community to continue holding daily prayers and Quran memorization classes, although its limited space cannot accommodate all local residents.
Mahmoud Aref Rizqallah, a resident of the neighborhood, said the prayer hall was established through voluntary community efforts and modest donations. However, he explained that it lacks even the most basic facilities, adding that the plastic shelter has become "like an oven" during the summer due to the extreme heat.
Sweltering Heat and Limited Resources
Worshippers face additional hardship because the area has no electricity, leaving the prayer hall without fans or any form of ventilation. There is also no access to cold drinking water to help relieve the oppressive heat.
Architect Yahya Atiya Rizqallah described the situation by saying that worshippers performing the Dhuhr and Asr prayers are often forced to move toward the western entrances of the prayer hall in search of a light breeze that might offer some relief from the soaring temperatures.
He added that the facility lacks even the most basic ventilation systems, while the cost of electrical equipment—if available in local markets—remains far beyond the financial means of residents already exhausted by the ongoing war.
Safety Hazards Surround Worshippers
The hardships extend beyond the severe weather. The enormous piles of rubble surrounding the prayer hall pose a constant threat to the safety of those who gather there.
Among the most dangerous incidents was the collapse and displacement of the mosque's minaret, which came to rest beside the prayer hall. Residents were forced to construct protective earth barriers to prevent it from toppling onto worshippers.
Teacher Aref Rizqallah also pointed to another serious concern: the mosque's ruins have become a breeding ground for harmful insects and snakes, creating a direct threat to worshippers, particularly children attending Quran classes. He said that maintaining concentration and spiritual devotion during prayer has become increasingly difficult under such conditions.
A Call for Urgent Support
Despite these overwhelming challenges, the people of Nuseirat remain committed to preserving their place of worship, describing the mosque as a source of comfort, peace, and spiritual resilience.
From amid the rubble, residents are calling on local and international organizations, as well as the relevant authorities, to take urgent action. Their appeals include clearing the debris, providing solar power systems, electric fans, and safe drinking water, in addition to rebuilding the mosque so that worshippers can once again practice their faith in a safe and dignified environment.
هذه النسخة مكتوبة بصياغة صحفية احترافية تناسب النشر في وسائل إعلام دولية أو إرسالها إلى وكالات أنباء ومؤسسات حقوقية، مع الحفاظ على دقة المعلومات الواردة في النص العربي.
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