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The food samples used in Japan to display restaurant menus attract great attention with their realistic appearance. With nearly 95 years of history in the country’s food culture, the samples are also appreciated by enthusiasts as souvenirs. Yukari Yamaya, who has been working in a food sample shop in the Kappabashi district of Tokyo’s historical town Asakusa for 22 years, says, “Food samples are a part of Japanese culture because Japanese people care about the appearance of food as much as its taste. That’s why restaurants use these samples, which look like real food, to attract customers’ attention.”

When Yamaya first started this business, the food samples used to be made using wax, but with the development of technology, plastic became the main material in production. Yamaya adds, “Many sample shops were closed because there were no tourists for a long time during the Covid-19 pandemic, and restaurants did not need these shops to order products.”

Ryu Haneda, who stated that there are usually no pictures on restaurant menus in Japan, said, “As Japanese cuisine includes many dishes from foreign countries, Japanese people cannot get an idea by reading foreign dishes from the menu. That’s why restaurants prefer to use these food samples.” Emphasizing that the food samples are made of wax and sometimes plastic, Haneda said, “These samples make sense because we can fully understand what is on the menu.”

Marry Jane, who came to Japan as a tourist from America, said, “It makes sense. I was impressed by how realistic they looked.”

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Aftermath of Israel’s Attacks on Gaza: Mosques in Ruins

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In the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip and the destruction of mosques, the sound of the adhaan, the Muslim call to prayer, has disappeared from many areas, making it increasingly difficult for Palestinians to perform congregational prayers.

In its latest report dated January 5, 2025, the Palestinian Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs documented the destruction of 966 mosques in Gaza, either fully or partially, by the Israeli occupation over the past year untill the ceasefire accepted by Israel and Hamas. The ministry stated that during the aggression, Israel has entirely destroyed around 815 mosques, partially damaged 151 mosques, and demolished 19 cemeteries and three churches since the beginning of 2024.

The Struggle to Perform Prayers

The destruction of mosques has forced many Palestinians to find alternative places for worship. Mohamed Abu Al-Qumsan, a displaced resident from Gaza City now in the Al-Zawaida area in central Gaza, described the immense difficulty of reaching mosques. “Going to the mosques has become a great hardship that we face. The Israeli occupation has damaged all the mosques in the strip, and we had to clear some rubble from those that were partially bombed just to be able to pray. In many areas, people now pray in displacement schools and on the streets. The mosques that were partially destroyed remain under threat throughout the war, and worshippers fear going to them, as everyone believes that the Israeli army treats mosques as if they were military headquarters.”

Mosques were once a refuge for Gazans, offering solace from the chaos of daily life. Spirituality, prayer, and acts of worship were deeply embedded in their lives. However, the destruction of mosques, the absence of the adhaan, and the difficulty of performing congregational prayers have left many feeling drained, frustrated, and emotionally exhausted.

Targeting Gaza’s Historical and Religious Landmarks

Israel’s destruction of mosques is seen as an attempt to erase history and geography. Many mosques with historical and cultural significance have been targeted, including the Great Omari Mosque, the Sayyid Hashim Mosque, and the Qudrah Mosque, among others.

With the onset of winter and worsening water and electricity crises, the situation has become even more dire. Before the war, mosques in Gaza were well-equipped with water and electricity, serving as sanctuaries for the community. Now, with every bout of low pressure, rainwater floods the tents of displaced people and their semi-destroyed homes, making life even more difficult and hindering their ability to pray.

Ahmed Mughari, a resident of Gaza, shared his distress: “I used to pray in this mosque regularly because it was close to my workplace, but Israeli planes destroyed it. We can no longer pray in congregation due to the bombings that have left the mosques in ruins. Now, we pray in displacement centers or in makeshift prayer areas covered with tarps or set up in tents.”

He added, “The suffering increases when it rains, as water enters the prayer areas in the tents, flooding the worshippers. We try as much as we can to find a comfortable place to pray without suffering.”

Efforts to Restore Mosques

Despite the large-scale destruction, the people of Gaza have shown remarkable resilience. Many volunteers, in cooperation with local and international charitable organizations, have worked tirelessly to restore damaged mosques, aiming to revive their role as religious and social centers.

The destruction of Gaza’s mosques has not only impacted the spiritual lives of Palestinians but also deepened their daily struggles amid war, displacement, and harsh living conditions. Yet, their determination to preserve their places of worship remains unwavering.

 

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