ARDA Foundation
SHELTERS OF PRAYER FOR GAZA
THE BACKGROUND
The war left Gaza in devastation—69% of all structures are in ruins, and more than 80% of commercial facilities are severely impacted, over 1,000 mosques have been damaged or destroyed. The picture now looks even worse when we add to this the debris and the explosive remnants of the war.
Destroyed mosque in Gaza, Source: The New Arab
WHAT IS IMPORTANT NOW?
We design our campaigns based on the needs of local communities, ensuring that every project respects and reflects their true values and cultural heritage. Amid this widespread loss, the need for communal and spiritual spaces is urgent. In Islam, these spaces are far more than mere structures; they are sanctuaries that nurture collective worship, foster unity, and provide vital emotional and spiritual healing. For many Muslims, communal prayer gatherings are a cornerstone of resilience, offering a place to share grief, rebuild hope, and draw strength from one another.
Unlike individual family tents, shelters built for communal prayer are designed to create an environment where the community can come together as one—healing from trauma, reinforcing bonds, and paving the way for sustainable development.
HOW TO ADDRESS THE NEED?
Our campaign is all about creating safe, functional spaces for the community. We plan to purchase and deliver tents that will serve as venues for worship, collective spiritual gatherings, and educational activities. Working closely with local communities, we’ve carefully assessed their needs and identified suitable sites for these shelters.
WHAT DO WE NEED?
Following the Global Shelter Cluster’s minimum standards, our initial phase will see the purchase of 112 tents as follows:
| N | Size | Picture | Capacity | Quantity | Unit price | Total Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6x14 m (84 sqm) |  | 56 | 14 | $ 8 580 | $ 120 200 |
| 2 | 6x12 m (72 sqm) |  | 48 | 24 | $ 6 950 | $ 166 800 |
| 3 | 7x15 m (105 sqm) |  | 70 | 9 | $ 15 600 | $ 140 400 |
| 4 | 8x20 (160 sqm) |  | 105 | 9 | $ 19 950 | $ 179 550 |
| 5 | 6x10 (60 sqm) |  | 40 | 14 | $ 6 500 | $ 91 000 |
| 6 | 5x12 (60 sqm) |  | 40 | 42 | $ 6 800 | $ 285 600 |
| TOTAL | 112 | $ 983 550 |
To bring these essential shelters to life, we need to raise 983 550 USD for the purchase of 112 tents that will serve the needs of thousands of people.
THE TASK AHEAD
The task ahead is challenging—delivering and establishing these tents in such a complex environment is far from simple. We are already hard at work, following the detailed planning, site assessment, and logistical guidelines from the Global Shelter Cluster.
THE GOOD NEWS: WE ALREADY GOT THE PERMISSION TO DELIVER
We are now working on evaluating the best locations, ensuring safe and efficient delivery, and tackling countless on-the-ground challenges to set up these communal spaces.
YOUR ROLE
Your support is a tangible act of transformation.
Imagine this: for the price of a dinner out—about 50 USD—you can secure a vital inch of space that will serve as a safe haven for not only prayer, but also community meetings, educational sessions, health workshops, and cultural events.
Every 50 USD you contribute directly builds a sanctuary where families gather to heal, learn new skills, and reclaim their future, free from dependency.
By giving, you're not merely donating money; you're actively constructing one of the 112 shelters that will become beacons of hope and resilience in Gaza.
Together, step by step, we're turning crisis into opportunity, empowering communities to rise, rebuild, and thrive.
Your generosity is the spark that ignites lasting change—join us in creating a future defined by strength, unity, and the relentless human spirit.
At ARDA, ensuring your donation makes a real difference is our heartfelt commitment. We work closely with trusted local partners and follow detailed project plans to guarantee that every bit of support reaches those who need it most. For our projects in Gaza, where crossing borders requires special permission, we’ve secured the necessary approvals to import donations. This means your generous contributions reliably bring hope and relief, exactly where they’re intended.
Your donation is counted as Zakat when it adheres to traditional Islamic guidelines it must come from wealth that exceeds the nisab threshold and must have been held for a full lunar year (hawl). At ARDA we ensure that your Zakat is 100% directed to eligible recipients as defined in Islamic teachings, namely to Muslims in Gaza who are in tremendous need after the devastating war. Please make sure you check the dedicated Zakat box before donating to ensure your contribution is processed accordingly.
ARDA Foundation is a non-profit, non-governmental, non-partisan, and religiously and ethnically neutral charity organization. After Donating to ARDA you will get a receipt and a document acknowidging your generosity. However, the specifics of tax-deduction of this amount depend on your local tax laws and regulations. We recommend keeping your donation receipt and consulting with your tax advisor to ensure you receive the full benefit.
