Renowned for its beauty the ancient Ibn Othman Mosque was founded by Sheikh Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Uthman ibn Umar ibn Abdullah al-Nabulsi al-Maqdisi and its name is attributed to him.

The initial components of the mosque, including its double-entrance western facade, the first few room spaces behind the facade and the minaret were not laid out until 1399-1400.

It was the second largest old mosque in Gaza, measuring 45 m. × 36.5 m.

It had a wide courtyard in the centre, surrounded by four corridors. The front of the Mosque had two entry points with pointed arches, and the minaret was laid on a square framework between them. This architectural style was typical of the Mamluks. The front of the Qibla, indicating the direction of the Kabba in Mecca, was also an example of the Mamluk style of decoration on stone. The Qibla was adorned with beautiful geometric and plant motifs, and the inscription recorded the date of its construction, March 1431AD. The inscription also showed the name of the builder, Alem Addeen Sinjar, president of the local administration of Gaza City at the time. The platform of the Mosque was made of marble and adorned with traditional Arabic decorations and a small dome over the orator’s seat.

The minaret was built above the west façade, between two portals. Three chambers were found behind it, one of which contained the tomb of the amir Sa‘d al-Din Yalkhuja, the Vice-sultan to Gaza in 849/1445–1446. He requested burial there shortly before his death in 850/1446–1447. The rest of the chambers were used for the various other functions of the mosque. Source: [https://explore.museumwnf.org/countries/c-pa/l-38/m-825/lan-en]

Israeli warplanes fired several missiles on 3 July 2024 which destroyed this ancient mosque.

The whole of the Gaza Strip is an archaeological treasure trove of the ancient sites of Palestine. Many of those sites have been destroyed or extensively damaged with artefacts shattered or looted.

The city of Gaza is rich with numerous archaeological sites and buildings that hold cultural, religious, and historical significance, reflecting the history and civilization of the Palestinian people and embodying the culture, customs, and traditions of the various populations that have inhabited this region over time. These sites vary, including mosques, churches, and baths. Unfortunately, the recent war has directly and indirectly affected many of these archaeological sites, resulting in the destruction of a significant portion of the cultural heritage in the Gaza Strip. Report on the Impact of the Recent War in 2023 on the Cultural Heritage in Gaza Strip – Palestine

This article is part of a series on the destruction of internationally significant archaeological and heritage sites in Gaza.

“A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.” #Gaza

Fiona Grahame