Christians in Gaza are beginning the celebration of Christmas as is being done throughout Occupied Palestine. The images of Christians worshipping in occupied Palestine should remind Christians everywhere that their brothers and sisters are still suffering under the Israeli occupation
By Mohammed Asad
Mohammed Asad, PhotographerThe Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Fouad Twal (L) leads a mass at Der Latin church ahead of Christmas in Gaza City December 20, 2015.
Although the Christian population is small in the Gaza Strip, it is small through occupied Palestine and throughout the Arab and Muslim World. There are two Catholic and three Christian schools in the Gaza Strip that students attend, most linked to the Christian community churches.
Data shows there are about 3,500 Christian Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip. They receive much support from the Muslim population, although in the past, there were efforts by the Gaza government to crack down on co-education schools where girls and boys study together.
Christians around the world and especially in America should recognize that Christians and Muslims suffer as a result of the Israeli occupation of Palestine and the brutal oppression against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. Bethlehem, which is occupied by Israel and surrounded by Israeli soldiers, is the birthplace of Christianity, something many Christians around the world have forgotten.
Christians in Gaza begin Mass for Christmas season celebrations. Copyright (C) 2015 Mohammed Asad. All Rights reserved. Photos may be reproduced with proper credit to Mohammed Asad and the Arab Daily News
Gaza Christians at Der Latin Church. Copyright (C) 2015 Mohammed Asad. All Rights reserved. Photos may be reproduced with proper credit to Mohammed Asad and the Arab Daily News
Gaza Christians celebrate Mass at Der Latin Church in the Gaza Strip. Copyright (C) 2015 Mohammed Asad. All Rights reserved. Photos may be reproduced with proper credit to Mohammed Asad and the Arab Daily News
photographer Mohammed Asad's photo of Dalia Khalifa won an award in March 2015 at a competition organised by the UN.
'Unbreakable' - is the photo of 9yr old Dalia Khalifa, taken at Al-Shifa Hospital on Aug 9th, 2014. Dalia was badly injured in an Israeli air strike during Operation 'Protective Edge'.
'Unbreakable' is the Grand Jury Winner in the photography competition, organised by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in the Middle East and North Africa (UN OCHA).
[EDITOR'S NOTE: Mohammed Asad's home in Shujaiyya was destroyed by Israeli missiles, mortars and tank fire on Friday August 1, 2014 while he was documenting the Israeli massacre of civilians in the Gaza Strip. He is now living in temporary housing as he scrambles to find Internet access to share his photographs when possible.]
- UN Secretary General visits Palestine, Israel - August 30, 2017
- Fadi Thabit photo exhibit documents Gaza Life - July 14, 2017
- Palestinian children celebrate Ramadan Eid in besieged Gaza Strip - June 27, 2017