GAZA STRIP – Defying two years of conflict and destruction, 500 students in the Gaza Strip have achieved a profound spiritual milestone, graduating as hafiz after completing the memorisation of the Quran in a ceremony held at the Shathi Refugee Camp.
A Ceremony of Defiance and Hope
The graduation, organized by local and international charities under the theme “Gaza blossoms with Quran memorisers,” presented a stark contrast to its surroundings. The new graduates processed through streets still scarred by debris, carrying copies of the Quran and Palestinian flags, accompanied by the cheers and prayers of their families.
“Continuing to memorise the Quran relentlessly for two years under bombardment was not easy. But the Quran gave us strength and fortitude,” one graduate told the Anadolu Agency.
Another attendee highlighted the communal significance, stating, “Poverty and the blockade could not keep our children away from the Quran. Seeing the streets filled with memorisers of the Quran lifted the spirits of us all.”
An Achievement Against the Odds
The completion of this rigorous religious education program represents a significant act of cultural and spiritual preservation amidst ongoing hardship. Organizers emphasized that the ceremony is part of broader efforts to maintain religious and moral education in the besieged enclave. Each graduate was awarded a certificate and symbolic gifts in recognition of their dedication.
A Fragile Ceasefire and Ongoing Tensions
The celebration of resilience unfolds against a backdrop of persistent instability. According to Gaza’s Government Media Office, Israeli forces have committed hundreds of violations since a U.S.-brokered ceasefire took effect in October. The reported breaches, numbering 875 as of this week, include air strikes, artillery fire, demolitions, and shootings, resulting in continued Palestinian casualties and underscoring the fragile nature of the truce.
