Hamas requests mosques from Turkey

GAZA (A.A) - November 28, 2011 - The Gazan administration requested the construction of 15 Ottoman style mosques and the restoration of mosques damaged in war from Turkey. If Turkey accepts Gaza's offer, the first Turkish mosque in 161 years would be erected in Gaza. Officials of the Gazan administration said that they presented a project to Turkey for new mosques and the repairs of existing mosques. The Gazan administration requested the repairs of 161 mosques that were damaged in the war of 2008-2009. The administration also requested the reconstruction of 34 mosques that were completely destroyed in 2008-2009. An amount of 14.8 million USD is needed for the reconstruction of 34 mosques and 180,000 USD is needed for the repairs of 20 mosques out of the 161. -Ottoman presence in Gaza- Gaza was included in Ottoman territories in 1516 when Yavuz Sultan Selim had a military expedition to Egypt. Ottoman traveller Evliya Celebi visited Gaza in 1649 and wrote that there were 11 mosques, 2 baths, 600 shops and 1,300 homes in Gaza. In 1660, Gaza was reorganized as Palestine's capital. The Great Omar Mosque was repaired while 6 others were erected. The Ottoman rule in Gaza ended on November 7, 1917 after a battle with the British.