Muslims around the world are on fast during the holy month of Ramadhan, marking a period of religious reflection, spiritual development, family get-togethers, and community service.
Still, the power of Ramadhan, I believe, really lies in the fact that believers show a collective act of fasting and waiting for the divine call to break the fast and the congregational prayers.
This collective experience of fasting promotes a sense of unity, brotherhood, and shared purpose that not only brings families together but also reconnects them with each other in particular and with society in general.
Giving to the less fortunate is an important part of Ramadhan. All Muslims are also required to help the poor and needy in their community. In other words, Ramadhan is a moment to care for each other. Fasting aims to establish equality between the rich and poor.
However, this year’s Ramadhan comes under the shadow of conflicts and devastation, contrary to a time of peace. Look at situation in the Middle East to Sudan, and Tunisia to Yemen; hapless people in those war-torn countries are forced to observe Ramadhan without food, potable water, or other essentials.
Gaza is facing significant humanitarian challenges, with innocent civilians facing the harshness of extremism. More than 31,000 people have been killed in the Israeli assault on Gaza, according to Palestinian health authorities in the besieged territory.
Aid agencies have already warned of a looming famine in parts of the Gaza Strip. The United Nations says that lack of humanitarian aid means famine is a growing risk in Gaza, where 2.4 million people are under a near-total siege by the Israeli military.
The United States and other international mediators had pushed for a Gaza cease-fire to coincide with the start of Ramadhan. Although Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary-General, called for "silencing the guns" during the holy month, there has been no breakthrough yet.
According to Reuters reports, thousands of police have been deployed around the narrow streets of the Old City in Jerusalem, where tens of thousands of worshippers are expected every day at the Al Aqsa mosque compound, one of the holiest sites in Islam.
In Sudan, warring parties are wrangling over how the country will usher in a civilian government following 17 months of military rule. In the war-torn Yemeni capital of Sanaa, prospects for Ramadhan were bleaker, with residents still struggling to buy even basic supplies.
In Syria, very few families still have the energy or resources to make the necessary preparations for Ramadhan this year. So are the sufferings of people from Afghanistan to the Sahel, from the Horn of Africa to Iraq and beyond.
Every day, people in many of these countries are facing images and stories of tens of thousands killed, children starving, and bombs laying waste in cities and institutions. Sadly, the world is not doing more to stop the death and devastation!
The holy month of Ramadhan provides an opportunity for individuals and society to align with each other and show compassion towards those who are suffering.
I hope the serenity of this blessed month is not violated, as was the case on similar past occasions, which witnessed the perpetration of crimes against innocent people. Also, I believe the power of prayer is even greater during Ramadhan.
No doubt, in these trying times, the spirit of Ramadhan is a beacon of hope. I wish all peace and joy.
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