Turkish aid agency opens new mosque in Gaza
| AA Photo


Turkey's Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH) opened Friday a new mosque in the Tel al-Hawa neighborhood of Gaza.

The construction of the 'Onbaşı Hasan' Mosque (Corporal Hasan), named after an Ottoman soldier who stayed behind to defend the Al-Aqsa Mosque during the British occupation of Jerusalem, lasted nearly six months starting last November.

"The IHH has provided a large number of services and humanitarian assistance to Gaza since the 2008 assault and to this very moment. However, I think the biggest help we have provided is building this mosque," the IHH Gaza Representative Muhammed Kaya said.

Kaya went on to say that he was proud that despite Israel's restrictions on the Adhan, the Islamic call to prayer, would still be heard in Gaza.

"The main goal of the construction of the mosque is to create a new generation which is able to bring unity to Islam and free Palestine," Kaya added.

The IHH is a Turkish non-governmental organization established in 1992, which is involved in humanitarian activities in 135 countries and territories.