Peloni: Notably, Turkey’s branch of the Muslim Brotherhood is one of those which the US has thus far chosen to not ban, even as Turkey continues to carry significant influence in Washington, two facts which are obviously related. Turkey’s deep seeded connection to the Muslim Brotherhood also supports Ankara’s support for Hamas, and their naming of one of the mosques built in Gaza being named to celebrate an Islamist jihadist. Turkey must be isolated from having any role in Gaza.
Turkey’s Diyanet Foundation opened three mosques in Gaza ahead of Ramadan, part of Ankara’s broader effort to expand religious and political influence in the enclave.
By SETH J. FRANTZMAN |
Turkiye Diyanet Foundation. Screengrab via Youtube
Turkey’s Diyanet Foundation has opened three mosques in Gaza, according to Turkish state-run broadcaster TRT. A video online showed members of the Turkish charity in blue vests assisting in refurbishing and reopening the mosques.
The report said that the work is designed to enable suitable places for worship during Ramadan. This is part of Ankara’s efforts to increase its influence in Gaza.
According to the report, the organization opened the Abdullah Azzam Mosque in the Sabra neighborhood of Gaza, the Huda Mosque in Jabalya’s refugee camp, and the al-Isra Mosque in the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood. These areas were heavily damaged during the Israel-Hamas War.
Regarding the name given to the first mosque listed, Abdullah Yusuf Azzam was an Islamist jihadist of Palestinian and Jordanian background. Although this was not made clear in the broadcast, it appears that the mosque was indeed named after him.
According to a paper by the Institute for National Security Studies at Tel Aviv University, “While al-Qaeda and Hamas have become household terms, far less familiar is the man behind the idea of al-Qaeda, the Palestinian Sheikh Abdullah Yusuf Azzam, who also did much to support the establishment and entrenchment of Hamas.”
The mosques serve as a foundation of ‘brotherhood’
The Diyanet Foundation states on its website that it has conducted work on nine mosques in “Palestine,” but does not mention the three most recent ones. The organization said that it works to build mosques that serve as a foundation of “brotherhood.”
It also noted that “today, mosques are rising with the efforts of the Presidency of Religious Affairs and our foundation to deliver the Adhans [the mosque’s calls to prayer] to every corner of our country and every continent of the earth with the donations made by our beloved nation.”
The work is clearly government-backed and part of Ankara’s mission to engage with Islamic communities worldwide.
Fidan met with Ali Shaath
In another sign of Ankara’s growing involvement, Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan also met with Ali Shaath of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG). This is the technocratic Palestinian organization that the Board of Peace backs to transition governance in Gaza away from Hamas.
In the past, Ankara has hosted Hamas leaders for meetings and backed Hamas. It is unclear whether this meeting represents a change.
Citing diplomatic sources, Turkey’s state-run media reported that Fidan received Shaath in the Turkish capital.
TRT went on to say, “The NCAG, formed after the October ceasefire in Gaza, is a Palestinian governance body under recent peace efforts to oversee Gaza’s civil administration and reconstruction, with Turkey offering diplomatic backing and humanitarian support to help stabilize and rebuild the besieged enclave.”
Further, “The NCAG said on Saturday that preparations for handing over the institutions of the sector pave the way for its management during the transitional phase.”
Per that same report, “Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called for the removal of obstacles” to the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire deal, and the NCAG “considered that the statements issued from within the sector regarding the readiness to hand over all public institutions pave the way for enabling the committee to fully assume its responsibilities in managing the transitional phase.”
The meeting with Shaath and the support for mosques in Gaza are part of the multi-pronged efforts by Ankara to increase its influence and also maintain its current level of control in Gaza.
Turkey is building mosques in Gaza? What the hell is going on? I guess I must have been asleep, and for quite a while, it seems. Who is actually running Gaza these days? Who the heck gave Turkey, (and, I’m still pronouncing it like the bird), permission to build terrorist indoctrination centers (oh, I’m sorry, I mean ‘mosques’)? Every week, I hear of other crazy/stupid stuff going on in Gaza, and I find myself asking, repeatedly, who is running the show? Is it UNRWA? Is Hamas still in charge? Maybe it’s Israel’s good buddy, Donald Trump. If so, again, I ask, who gave him the keys to Gaza? And while we’re on the subject, who gave Trump the authority to put together a “Peace Council” and to impose governance on Gaza? Maybe Egypt is calling the shots? Frankly, I can’t tell who is really running Gaza. Whoever it is, please, don’t tell me that it’s Israel. I really do hate to say this, but I think that the current Gaza mess is, to a large extent, Israel’s own fault, 1) for not finishing off Hamas when they had the chance, 2) for not deporting the Gazans to Egypt, or elsewhere, and 3) for allowing others to insinuate themselves into the affairs of the Gaza savages. I predict that there is a 100% chance that the “Gaza Pacification Plan”, or whatever they call it, is not going to end well. I guess I may as well go back to sleep. Wake me when this nightmare is over.
So many choices. Happy Thumb Appreciation Day.
Sorry, that’s tomorrow
“ On February 17, 2026, major cultural, religious, and obscure holidays align, featuring Lunar New Year, Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday), the start of Ramadan, an annular solar eclipse in Antarctica, and National Cabbage Day. Other unique observances include Champion Crab Races Day, My Way Day, National Café au Lait Day, and Random Acts of Kindness Day.
Here are the specific, lesser-known holidays for February 17, 2026:
Champion Crab Races Day: An annual celebration for cheering on racing crabs.
National Cabbage Day: A day to celebrate the versatile vegetable.
My Way Day: A day to do things in your own unique way.
Who Shall I Be Day: A day to explore or reimagine your personal identity.
National Café au Lait Day: Dedicated to enjoying coffee with milk.
Random Acts of Kindness Day: A day to perform kind gestures for others.
National PTA Founders’ Day: Recognizes the establishment of the Parent Teacher Association.
World Human Spirit Day: A day focused on promoting positive human connection.
National Cat Day (Italy/Poland): A special day for feline appreciation in these countries.
Analog to Digital TV Day: A niche technological observance.
These quirky holidays fall alongside major global events, including the start of the Year of the Fire Horse (Lunar New Year) and the peak of carnival celebrations. ”