Sheikh Ahmed Yassin
Photo: Reuters
Sheikh Yassin's wheelchair
Gaza: Sheikh Yassin's house declared heritage site
Hamas to open home of spiritual leader killed in 2004 to visitors, turning location into historical landmark
The Hamas
government decided to open the home of its former spiritual leader and founder Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, who was assassinated in 2004, to visitors.
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A Hamas official announced the decision will allow visitors to learn more about Yassin's "Jihadist career" as well as his activities against the "Israeli occupation."
"The goal is to commemorate his image in a place which saw him devote his life to the distribution of Islam," the official remarked.
Hamas prime minister in Gaza Ismail Haniyeh gave his blessing to the project, saying: "It will help us revive the memory of the Sheikh amongst the Arab and Islamic population."
Visitors will be able to see the many pictures hanging in Yassin's living room, including photos with such leaders as Former Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat. The wheelchair he used to get around the house and his conference room will also be on display.
Abu Bilal Yassin, the person tasked with maintaining the site, said the home embodies "the history of the Palestinian people's resistance as well as Yassin's life."
Hamas made sure to preserve and display, for the first time ever, the wheelchair Yassin sat on when he was assassinated, as well as the blanket he covered himself with that day.
"We've transformed the house into cultural and intellectual reference points to show how modestly he lived. We'll open the house for visitors so they will learn about the Jihadist life of the Sheikh," Abu Bilal said.
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