Gaza Ahmad Shamalk, 10, wakes up early every morning to go to the mosque to memorise the Quran, during the summer holiday.
"I like to come here and learn Quran and Islamic manners. It makes my parents proud that I learn Quran," Ahmad told Gulf News.
Memorising the Quran is one of the most popular pastime of the people of Gaza. Many families send their children to learn Quran during summer vacation.
One reason for this is because there are not that many other activities available for children to do.
Duty
Al Awqaf ministry is supervising this project which gathers children and young adults between 7 and 20 years old, to memorise the Quran. Under the name of "a Quranic generation is the path to Al Aqsa mosque", the project was started in June 2010.
Abu Obayda, deputy minister of Al Awqaf ministry described the endevour as his "duty" to the children of Gaza.
"We mostly depend on charity of local businessmen to fund this project and parents of the children. Most of the teachers are in fact volunteers," Abu Obayda said.
Boys and girls are taught in separate classes.
On the second floor of a mosque, about 40 girls sit in small circles of 10 to 15, taking turns reading the Quran.
"I'm here memorising the holy Quran to do exactly what is written in it, not only to memorise, I learnt from the holy Quran to pray and fast and how to worship Allah," says 10-year-old Sarah Abu Kuwik.
Other obstacles the students face are power cuts.
"The best time for memorising Quran is in the morning after fajr prayers, but if there is no electricity the children have to study by candlelight," Naeema Sharaan, a teacher, explained.
