Palestinians restore Maqam Al-Kader in Gaza Strip (19 images)

With financial backing from UNESCO and the Nawa Foundation, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities in the Gaza Strip has begun restoring the historic Maqam Al-Kader ("mosque" of al-Khidr) in the city of Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip.

The restoration project has been divided into two phases: maintenance of the walls, domes and ceilings of the mosque; and converting it to a cultural library for local children.

Such domed structures were built for early Palestinians to pay tribute to patron saints (such as St. George, known by the Arabic name el Khader, who was a Roman soldier who became a Christian martyr) before more orthodox Islam took hold in the region.

Palestinian laborers are pictured during conservation efforts to restore the archaeological site of Maqam Al-Kader, also known as the Mosque of al-Khidr, a historic monument in the city of Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, on March 27, 2016. Photo by Ismael Mohamad/UPI

License photo | Permalink

---

---

Palestinian laborers are pictured during conservation efforts to restore the archaeological site of Maqam Al-Kader, also known as the Mosque of al-Khidr, a historic monument in the city of Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, on March 27, 2016. Photo by Ismael Mohamad/UPI

License photo | Permalink

---

---

Palestinian laborers are pictured during conservation efforts to restore the archaeological site of Maqam Al-Kader, also known as the Mosque of al-Khidr, a historic monument in the city of Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, on March 27, 2016. Photo by Ismael Mohamad/UPI

License photo | Permalink

---

---

Palestinian laborers are pictured during conservation efforts to restore the archaeological site of Maqam Al-Kader, also known as the Mosque of al-Khidr, a historic monument in the city of Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, on March 27, 2016. Photo by Ismael Mohamad/UPI

License photo | Permalink

---

---