InfoAnda - Gazans flock to Hamas-run religious summer camps

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

Hyundai says claims made against IPIC units valid | 17 February 2009
China rights group slams 'repression', web curbs | 3 March 2011
Pirates kill four U.S. hostages near Somalia | 23 February 2011

"Blue Bloods" a welcome return for Tom Selleck | 24 September 2010

">Forum Views () ">Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Gazans flock to Hamas-run religious summer camps

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail Yahoo! Search Search: Sign InNew User? Sign Up News Home - Help Navigation Primary Navigation Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Secondary Navigation Asia Pacific World Search Search: Gazans flock to Hamas-run religious summer camps AFP - Wednesday, June 17 GAZA CITY (AFP) - - Summer has arrived, school's out, and on the carpeted floor of a Gaza City mosque Ala al-Ramalawi is reciting the Koran to a group of 12-year-old girls in colourful veils. ADVERTISEMENT For most of Gaza's children summer camp still means swimming, horseback riding and campfire songs. But the number of children attending Hamas-run religious camps has soared in the two years since the group seized power, reflecting the growing religious awareness among the enclave's impoverished residents. "There is no way for us but learning ... The enemy wants to condemn us to a siege and shelling and poverty," says Ramalawi, 16, who prides herself on having memorised the Koran but says she is not a member of Hamas. Anwar Nassar, the director of the Koran camps, says Hamas supporters make up at most 60 percent of the youth who attend the camps, but that the total number of attendees has soared since the group seized power. Since the takeover on June 15, 2007, Israel and Egypt have sealed Gaza off to all but limited humanitarian aid, crippling the local economy, fueling massive unemployment, and stalling reconstruction efforts. Israel has insisted that the blockade is necessary to prevent Hamas -- which is backed by Iran and Syria and committed to the Jewish state's destruction -- from arming itself. But human rights groups have slammed the restrictions as collective punishment of the overcrowded territory of 1.5 million people, where the vast majority of the population depends on foreign aid. The lack of most building materials has meant that Gaza has recovered little from the devastating three-week Israeli offensive at the turn of the year that killed more than 1,400 Palestinians and 13 Israelis. "The stronger the siege gets and the more frustration there is, the more it pushes the youth towards religiosity and Koranic studies," Nassar said. More than 20,000 youth between the ages of 12 and 20 will attend the two-month-long religious summer camps this year, up from just 3,000 the year before, he said. Another 100,000 are attending camps that Hamas says are purely recreational, according to Ayman Dalul, the director of the "Victory of Gaza for Jerusalem" camp. "We will teach the participants arts, swimming, riding horses and history. There are other camps especially for scouts, technology and computers," he says, insisting that military training is not part of the curriculum. Although many of the youth attending the camps are not Hamas supporters, the growth in interest in Islam serves the interests of the movement, which is committed to the destruction of Israel. "Hamas is interested in the youth from childhood on," says Sheikh Hamza, a 22-year-old teacher with a long, scraggly beard, one of 1,200 instructors paid 250 dollars a month to teach the Koran and religious studies. "Teaching the Koran is part of the religion. These are the generations that the movement will rely on for steadfastness and confronting enemies." Hamas will spend more than 3.5 million dollars on the camps this year alongside its vast network of charities and other social programmes, with much of the funding coming from international Islamic charities. Such activities, which date back to the movement's founding in the 1980s, have helped it to build up grass-roots political support and contributed to the increasing religious conservatism in Gaza in recent years. Umm Mohammed, her face concealed beneath a long, black Saudi-style veil, proudly sends her three daughters to a Koranic camp held on the second floor of a mosque near her house. "Every path is blocked," she says. "There is no future for girls except to learn the religion and the Koran in order to raise their children to serve Palestine and Islam. Everything brings frustration. We have to be stronger." Email Story IM Story Printable View Blog This Sign in to recommend this article » 0 users recommend Related Articles: Entertainment & Lifestyle Sean Penn drops out of 'Cartel,' 'Three Stooges'AP - 2 hours 16 minutes ago Taylor Swift wins video of the year at CMT awardsAP - Thursday, June 18 Villazon cancels 2010 `Carmen' premiere in ViennaAP - Thursday, June 18 Neighbor sues over Rihanna's LA houseAP - Thursday, June 18 Bollywood film set in Australia to focus on attacksReuters - Thursday, June 18 Enlarge Photo Palestinian youths read copies of the Koran at a mosque in Gaza City. The Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas launched summer camps for the study of the Koran, drawing a broad participation from Gazans. Most Popular – Entertainment Viewed Men's 'stiff upper lip' may explain cancer death rate Airbus a big winner at Paris Air Show Court orders Exxon to pay $507.5 mln for 1989 spill Climate change is happening 'here, now': US report Obama signs note for girl who played hooky to see him View Complete List » Search: Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - Community - Intellectual Property Rights Policy - Help

Other News on Wednesday, 17 June 2009
Thousands rally again in streets of Iran's capital
Airbus a big winner at Paris Air Show
Thousands of Mousavi supporters march in Tehran | International |
MySpace to slash 30 pct of US staff
Thousands of Mousavi supporters march in Tehran
Georgia warns of Abkhazia unrest after UN mission ends
Facebook loses battle against German lookalike
Rivals stage mass rallies as Iran set for vote recount
U.K. Broadband Provider Offering Unlimited Music Downloads From World's Top Recording Firm
Nordic police swoop on Internet child porn distributors
US asks Twitter to maintain service after Iran vote: official
US housing construction leaps from all-time lows
NATO boss says Afghan strategy was flawed: report | International |
Hulk Hogan Brings Witnesses In Court To Prove Estranged Wife Linda Does Drugs
Jews' jewelry from Holocaust donated to memorial
U.S. State Department speaks to Twitter over Iran
Katy Perry Sues Australian Designer Katie Perry Over Business Trademark
NASA probes lead way back to moon
Yemen vows to find kidnappers, raises reward | International |
Iran cancels foreign media accreditation
Former Miss California USA Carrie Prejean Loses Clothing Company Endorsement Deal
LG says mobile market holding up, launching Android phones
Tight-fisted donors bastardizing IAEA: ElBaradei | International |
Twitter delays down time to aid Iranian protesters
Kelis Wants Estranged Husband Nas To Pay Spousal And Child Support
Carter says Gaza Palestinians treated like animals | International |
Iraqis take control of Baghdad's Green Zone
Britain seeks to become world's 'digital capital'
Israel sees deal soon over settlements
CBS Loses Website Advertiser Because Of David Letterman's Sarah Palin Joke
Jessica Alba Will Not Face Charges For Posting Shark Posters All Over Oklahoma City
Campaigning kicks off in Afghan vote
David And Victoria Beckham's Former Nanny Apologizes For Disclosing Private Information
World's megacities ripe for 'megadisaster': UN
Angelina Jolie Films PSA For World Refugee Day
"Twilight" Leads The 2009 Teen Choice Awards Nominations List
LG says mobile market holding up, launching Android phones
Early Palm Pre sales solid but new rivals due soon | Technology |
Obama says nuclear-armed N. Korea 'grave threat'
MySpace to lay off 30 percent of staff | Technology |
Pakistan prepares offensive on Taliban stronghold
Court frees woman who stabbed Chinese official
U.S. State Department speaks to Twitter over Iran | Technology |
Obama says N.Korea cannot be accepted as nuclear power
Obama reaffirms US commitment to defend South Korea
NY judge tosses Senate case back to lawmakers
Vatican China envoy to get tough with Beijing
Pro-Shah Iranians call for regime change
Stamp mistakes expected to bring millions
China tries 2 men accused of being gang bosses
Uzbekistan cuts gas supplies to Tajikistan in half
Major provisions of the $106B war spending bill
Cambodian love 'doctor' charged with rape
Obama: Troubled by Iran election but sees change
Pakistan readies new operation against Taliban
House takes up $106 billion war funding bill
VA officials grilled over botched colonoscopies
Group: Gay bias killings highest since 1999
Judge: OK with Gitmo inmate using military attys.
Midwest storms cause flooding, spawn 2 tornadoes
Emerging giants issue dollar warning at first summit
Nissan to cut 581 jobs in Barcelona: union
Japan bans trade with NKorea
China says US Treasury purchases based on value
Jewels missing after Lohan photo shoot | Entertainment |
Sarah Palin accepts Letterman apology | Entertainment |
Adkins' nominated video almost didn't get made
Review: `Ghostbusters' return _ in a video game
Music Review: Angel Taylor's debut album shines
The top 10 singles and albums on iTunes
At least 9 die, 32 trapped in Indonesia mine blast
World's megacities ripe for 'megadisaster': UN
Dublin ignores recession to celebrate Bloomsday
Usher and wife have lived apart for nearly a year
South Africa's World Cup makes its way into art
Madonna's Jesus, black models to hit Brazil's catwalk
Albania battles rising youth drug abuse
Backers of Iran's Mousavi aim to keep up protests | International |
US-TECH Summary
Attempted Iran media clampdown meets Internet age
Obama, Lee warn North Korea; missile on the move | International |
Obama set to unveil financial supervision reforms
Twitter goes literary with Ulysses performance
Israel sees deal soon with Obama over settlements | International |
Army couple's rarest asset in Iraq: time together
Bermuda protesters denounce Guantanamo decision | International |
Climate change is happening 'here, now': US report
YouTube an online stage for Iran protest videos
Iran regime faces public anger: will it survive?
Khodorkovsky case tests Kremlin credibility: German MPs | International |
Twitter's delay decision 'not made with State Dept'
US unemployment to hit 10 percent: Obama
Greek anti-terrorist policeman shot dead in Athens | International |
UN urges fight against hate speech in cyberspace
Indonesia's corruption court in fight for existence | International |
Iranians using British software to crash official websites: TV
U.N.'s Ban urged to help free Myanmar prisoners | International |
High-tech edge for Poland's Jewish history
Indonesia coal mine blast kills 17, traps 23 | International |
Obama backs repeal of tax on personal cell phones
Mexico finds cocaine haul hidden in frozen sharks | International |
Early Palm Pre sales solid but new rivals due soon
China's mandated Internet filter has pirated code: US firm
Climate change is happening 'here, now': US report
Report: Drier South, warmer North, and more bugs
Suu Kyi trial lawyers in last-ditch witness bid
Rights leaders warn new spike in US hate crimes
Ethnic conflict kills 12 in India's northeast
2 girls put on wrong Continental Express flights
NKorea warns US of 'thousand-fold' military action
US lawmakers seek review of Uighur 'terror' label
Obama wants new financial agency for consumers
Thunderstorms delay fueling of space shuttle
Global Weather-Celsius
Twitter goes literary with Ulysses performance | Technology |
AG Holder urges new hate crimes law
SKorea's Rain settles lawsuit in US court: report
Obama backs repeal of tax on personal cellphones | Technology |
Jubilation muted on Calif gay marriage anniversary
Australian gang matriarch held over hit on relative
Nakamura close to signing with Espanyol: report
Audit faults TVA response to coal ash spill
Polygamous church trust manager pleads not guilty
Indonesia mine blast toll rises to 27: officials
Nevada GOP Sen. Ensign admits extramarital affair
Foreign maids in Malaysia to get day off: minister
Thai MPs approve 22-bln-dlr stimulus loan
China ports offer free storage amid crisis: report
Actor Worthy segues from "Battlestar" to "Heroes"
"Trueheart" pumping as movie project
S.Korea may tax financial firms' interest income
Pakistani current account records surplus in May
Sean Penn giving up Hollywood for family
Korea Hot Stocks
Beijing orders 'Buy China' for stimulus projects
Death toll from mine blast in Indonesia reaches 17
Taiwan dollar rises on stocks, Russia comments
Gay activists wary about flamboyant Bruno | Entertainment |
NZ economy near bottom, but NZ$ rise hurts-cenbank
Chris Brown attorney seeks delay in assault case | Entertainment |
Business leaders out to put India on US map
Sean Penn giving up Hollywood for family | Entertainment |
ConocoPhillips chief warns of impending oil crisis
The Ventures guitarist Bob Bogle dies at 75 | Entertainment |
Twitter goes literary with Ulysses performance
Actor Worthy segues from Battlestar to Heroes | Entertainment |
Actor Worthy segues from "Battlestar" to "Heroes"
Trueheart pumping as movie project | Entertainment |
"Trueheart" pumping as movie project
Black Crowes double down with "Frost" and "Freeze"
Black Crowes double down with Frost and Freeze | Entertainment |
Twitter goes literary with Ulysses performance | Entertainment |
"Red Dawn" remake adds two to cast
Correction: `Food, Inc.' review
List of winners at Country Music Television awards
The Ventures guitarist Bob Bogle dies at 75
Gay activists wary about flamboyant "Bruno"
British unemployment rate climbs to 7.2%
Verizon and AT&T deny collusion on texting prices
Israeli minister apologises for insulting Arabs
NASA scrubs shuttle launch again
From Time to Oprah to Iran: Twitter comes of age
No French access to Brazil plane crash autopsies | International |
Pakistan sought time to act against militants: India | International |
Fighting in Somalia capital kills at least 22 | International |
China, Russia call for talks on Iran, North Korea | International |
Yemenis march to protest at hostage killings | International |
Sri Lanka scoffs at new Tamil exiled government | International |
U.S. asks Spain to take four Guantanamo inmates | International |
Barack Obama: The human flyswatter
DA: NYC sitter took cold medicine before baby died
Nagging leak delays NASA shuttle launch to July
Bovine TB quarantine expands to 42 Nebraska herds
Verizon and AT&T deny collusion on texting prices | Technology |
FDA says Zicam nasal spray can cause loss of smell
Indian PM urges peace with Pakistan
Microsoft search still growing with Bing: comScore | Technology |
Flood-prone Appalachian town seeks higher ground
Thai PM: Arrested Rohingyas not likely terrorists
Vermont village schoolhouse closes after 208 years
Norway's central bank to Twitter interest rate decision | Technology |
Skirmishing ahead of new Pakistan offensive
China fires top official for key industrial zone
Teen accused of Fla. cat killings released on bail
Thailand confirms 95 new swine flu cases
Wis. man survives 6-story fall from bank building
China quarantines dozens of US students
Russia, China urge talks on North Korea
Myanmar court allows Suu Kyi final witness appeal
EU to pledge humanitarian aid for Pakistan
Court allows Suu Kyi to appeal for more witnesses
China says economy improving but recovery not firm
S.Korea utilities ink '09 coal price with China
China shares rise after Hu says stimulus working
Japan 'zombie' banks repaid most of 1990s bailouts
BAT buys Indonesia's Bentoel
Indonesia president's relative jailed for graft
Foreign investment in Pakistan down 47.5 pct
Seoul shares fall; banks down, blue chips gain
Villazon cancels 2010 `Carmen' premiere in Vienna
Neighbor sues over Rihanna's LA house
Palin accepts Letterman apology, protest goes on | Entertainment |
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Bollywood film set in Australia to focus on attacks
Report: Jet Li becomes Singapore citizen
Woo our tourists, Japanese diplomat tells Africa
Bollywood film set in Australia to focus on attacks | Entertainment |
Gazans flock to Hamas-run religious summer camps
Indonesia leader's relative in jail on corruption
Small Greek island is migrants' gateway to Europe
Death toll from mine blast in Indonesia reaches 28
Choreographer Cunningham secures his dance legacy
Unlock Sipura SPA 2100 (from rocketvoip.com) for home asterisk
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph	VPN on MacOSX	BlogMeter 1.01