Gaza girl Wafaa Al-Attar completes Quran memorization after losing family in airstrike

Wafaa Ahmed Al-Attar has completed the memorization of the entire Quran. The 13-year-old girl from Deir al-Balah, in central Gaza, fulfilled a dream her father shared with her in her early childhood. She accomplished this feat after becoming the sole survivor of her immediate family following an Israeli airstrike on February 22, 2024.

The airstrike killed Wafaa’s father, Ahmed Al-Attar, her mother, Khouloud Azam, her sister, Rital, and her three brothers, Muhammed, Obada, and Yazan. Wafaa survived the attack because she had stepped outside to fetch a battery when the strike occurred. She sustained minor injuries and has since lived with relatives, including her grandparents and an uncle.

Before the tragedy, Ahmed Al-Attar was the primary motivation for his daughter’s religious education. He encouraged her to memorize the holy book from the very start of her journey. He envisioned a ceremony where his daughter would be honored for completing the memorization of the Quran. Wafaa stated in an interview with Anadolu Agency that her father was her sole supporter and main pillar of strength.

“My Quranic journey began in childhood, and from the very start, my father encouraged me to complete the memorization of the Quran,” Wafaa said. She explained that during difficult moments when she felt unable to continue, she would remember her father’s specific wish. She kept the image of him reciting the book in its entirety in her mind to maintain her focus.

Wafaa recently attended a ceremony at Al-Qubba Mosque in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza. The event, part of the “Quranic Revelation Generation” program, honored approximately 215 Quran memorizers. The program is supported by the Gaza Life Union Foundation. Although her parents and siblings were not physically present, Wafaa dedicated her accomplishment to their memory.

The story of Wafaa’s journey was first documented by Nour Khalil Khattab, who met the girl personally. Khattab published the account on July 2, 2024, through the organization We Are Not Numbers. The article, titled “The Inspiring Journey of Wafaa Ahmed Alattar,” detailed how the young survivor continued the path her father started.

Islamic tradition holds that parents whose children memorize and practice the Quran receive specific spiritual rewards. A hadith reported by Al-Hakim and graded authentic by Al-Dhahabi describes these parents being clothed in special garments on the Day of Judgment. The garments are said to be unlike anything found in worldly life, a direct result of their child’s dedication to the Quran.