A ceremony was held on Thursday at Gaza City’s al-Shati refugee camp to honor 500 Palestinians who memorized the Holy Quran despite enduring Israel’s ongoing genocidal war and the widespread destruction inflicted on the besieged Gaza Strip.

The event, organized by local religious and community institutions, brought together families, scholars, teachers and residents of the camp, many of whom have been displaced multiple times during the war. Quran recitations, prayers, and speeches marked the ceremony, which emphasized resilience, faith and steadfastness in the face of relentless bombardment, blockade and humanitarian catastrophe.

Organizers said the honorees memorized the Quran under extraordinarily harsh conditions, including continuous airstrikes, shortages of electricity and clean water, lack of safe shelter, and the loss of family members. Many continued their studies in overcrowded shelters, damaged homes, or makeshift classrooms, relying on candlelight or memory alone as Israel’s attacks destroyed mosques, schools and educational centers across Gaza.

Speakers at the ceremony stressed that the memorization of the Quran during wartime represents not only a personal spiritual achievement, but also a collective act of resistance and preservation of Palestinian identity. “In a time when Israel seeks to erase our lives, our culture and our future, these hafiz and hafiza have safeguarded the words of Allah in their hearts,” one organizer said.

Religious scholars attending the event highlighted that Gaza has long been known for its strong tradition of Quranic education, despite years of blockade and repeated military assaults. They noted that many Quran memorization centers have been damaged or destroyed during the war, yet teaching and learning continued informally through volunteer efforts and family networks.

Families of the honorees expressed pride and emotion, saying the achievement brought hope amid immense suffering. Parents described how their children turned to the Quran for comfort and strength as bombs fell nearby and living conditions deteriorated.

The ceremony concluded with collective prayers for the martyrs of Gaza, for the wounded and displaced, and for an end to the siege and attacks. Organizers said similar events would continue as a way to uplift morale, preserve faith, and affirm that Gaza’s spiritual and cultural life endures despite attempts to crush it.

Since the start of Israel’s war on Gaza, tens of thousands of Palestinians have been killed or injured, and much of the enclave’s infrastructure has been reduced to rubble. Amid the devastation, initiatives like the al-Shati ceremony stand as symbols of perseverance, faith and defiance in the face of ongoing aggression. (ILKHA)