Umm al-Naser Mosque

Infobox religious building


image_size=
caption=
building_name=Umm al-Nasr Mosque
location=flagicon|Palestine Beit Hanoun, Gaza Strip, Palestinian territories
geo=
religious_affiliation=Islam
website=
architect=
architecture_type=Mosque
architecture_style=Islamic architecture, particularly Ayyubid
year_completed=1239
capacity=
dome_quantity=1
minaret_quantity=1
minaret_height=

Umm al-Naser Mosque or Nasr Mosque is the oldest mosque in the Palestinian city of Beit Hanoun in the Gaza Strip, located in the center of the city.

History

The Umm al-Nasr Mosque was built 1239 in Beit Hanoun by the Ayyubids to commemorate their soldiers who had died in the battle on the mosque site between them and the Crusaders. The Ayyubids were victorious, hence the name "Umm al-Nasr" ("Mother of Victories"). [ [http://www.thisweekinpalestine.com/details.php?id=2006&ed=134&edid=134 Beit Hanoun - Gaza] "This Week in Palestine".] [Filfil, Rania. [http://www.thisweekinpalestine.com/details.php?id=2564&ed=157&edid=157 The Other Face of Gaza: The Gaza Continuum] "This Week in Palestine".]

On November 3, 2006, Israeli forces and Palestinian militants holed up inside the mosque exchanged gunfire. The mosque was virtually destroyed by Israeli shells, the only structure untouched being the southern portico a shallow dome in the mosque center. Nearly 40 women marching to protect the mosque were shot at by Israelis, resulting in the deaths of two. [Myre, Greg. [http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/03/world/middleeast/04mideastcnd.html?_r=1&fta=y&oref=slogin Israel Kills 2 Women During Mosque Siege] "New York Times". 2006-11-03.] The damage to the mosque was condemned by the United Nations. [ [http://domino.un.org/unispal.nsf/47d4e277b48d9d3685256ddc00612265/00862f74239ea0da8525722000522658!OpenDocument UNRWA strongly condemns Israeli military operationsin Beit Hanoun] United Nations. 2006-11-08.]

References