If it was the coronavirus that caused global shutdowns six years ago — an impact still etched in our collective memory — the world is now facing a profound shift from a health crisis to a major escalation in geopolitical conflict, raising the question of whether the world is better off today.
No one can ever forget the ubiquitous metaphors and similes frequently used by world leaders, the media, and analysts to compare the Covid-19 pandemic to war. The ‘invisible enemy’ as the virus was called, it created a “war like situation” globally.
Those seemingly innocuous phrases did not end there. Health workers were compared to armies from the Second World War on various social media platforms. Using medical terms like “surgical strikes,” we became emotionally and psychologically attached to fighting a “common enemy.”
After six years, the world is now confronting another formidable challenge, different yet equally serious, that is escalating to dangerous proportions. From the moment the US and Israel began striking Iran on February 28, it became clear that the new war in West Asia would have global repercussions, resulting in human, economic, and strategic conflagration.
The economic repercussions are being felt across manufacturing, stock exchanges, logistics, and households worldwide. Countries around the globe have rushed to ensure the security of their citizens in the region while preparing for the economic consequences of Iran’s de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which has halted oil, gas, and fertiliser exports through the Gulf.
Rising fuel costs quickly lead to higher prices in transportation, manufacturing, and agriculture. This results in inflationary pressures that can slow economic growth worldwide. Even if the conflict ends sooner rather than later, the disruption it has already caused will leave lasting scars on the global economy.
Amid this chaos are the final days of the fasting month of Ramadhan. If Ramadhan and Eid Al Fitr celebrations six years ago were characterised by a mix of apprehension and muted festivities due to coronavirus, this year’s celebrations come under the shadow of an escalated war, transforming a season of joy into one of widespread uncertainty and mourning.
Beyond the feasting and festivities, the occasion will also be a time for giving, where exchanging gifts is less about material value and more about sharing joy, blessings, and appreciation with the people who matter most.
However, the Gulf countries, which pride themselves on their stability and economic success, are experiencing severe security disruptions, missile threats, and drone alerts during the final days of Ramadhan.
Airspace tensions have caused widespread flight cancellations, disrupting travel for families and non-resident workers trying to return home for Eid.
The psychological dimension is perhaps the most significant. With just over a week remaining, the question of whether the end of Ramadhan could catalyse a ceasefire has shifted from hypothetical to urgent. However, based on current conditions, it appears unlikely. As the crescent moon set to rise, a different kind of light breaks through the smoke!
We know that the essence of war is inherently destructive. Even at this very moment, news of war continues ceaselessly. Yet from afar, I hope the war will soon be contained, as it has been before, thanks to the collaborative efforts of our leaders.
In the midst of challenges, Eid continues to be a strong emblem of optimism and strength. Eid Mubarak comes not merely as a celebration unaffected by pain but as a worldwide declaration that happiness, respect, and community shall endure — not by bombs, not by animosity, not by the politics of destruction.
Samuel Kutty
The writer is a freelance journalist and author who worked in Oman and India
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