Self-Immolation Un-Islamic, Scolds Hamas

Another Palestinian recently set himself on fire in Gaza in protest of rising poverty, but Hamas officials have dismissed the protest on religious grounds, Mohammed Suliman writes.
Palestinians wait to receive food supplies from the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) at Shati refugee camp in Gaza January 13, 2009. Israeli forces tightened their hold around the city of Gaza on Tuesday and Israel's top general said "there is still work" ahead against Hamas in an 18-day-old offensive that has killed more than 900 Palestinians. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem (GAZA) - RTR23CE4
A recent self-immolation in Gaza is being attributed to ongoing economic hardship that has resulted in large numbers of Palestinians seeking food assistance, such as from the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) at the Shati refugee camp in 2009. - REUTERS/Mohammed Salem
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Mohammed Suliman
@@imPalestine

On Feb. 21, Mohammed al-Namrouti, a 43-year-old resident of the Gaza Strip, set himself on fire inside the headquarters of the Gaza Ministry of Social Affairs in Jabaliya, north of Gaza City.

Local news agencies reported that Namrouti had gone to the office to obtain food assistance during which an argument ensued between him and officials and ended in Namrouti setting fire to himself.

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