Spirituality and religion
Narrating their maps, children often included mosques or other religious
sites, defining them as sources of love, quietness, and identity: “When
I’m there, I feel peace. Mosque is a quite place, where silence
prevails. […] I go there to feel relaxed, safe and loved by
my God”. (Fasayel, 11, female).
Religious practices appear to be essential in giving them strength,
protection, and also to restoring a sense of hope and control over their
lives. Furthermore, children described the mosques as places where they
can be in contact with the community and where they learn about
important morals, values, and social behaviors.
“Al-Quran teaches you beautiful values. To be clean, polite, to wash
your hand, to help people. It helps you to be a nice person. When you
are angry or sad about something and you think to do something not nice,
you remember what Quran told you, and you choose a different way”.
(Nablus, 11, male)