Eid is meant to be a moment of joy. It marks the end of Ramadhan, a month devoted to faith, patience, charity and reflection. Families gather, new clothes are worn, children receive sweets and money and communities come together in celebration. But this year, across parts of the Gulf, Eid arrives under a different kind of atmosphere, one shaped not only by prayer and preparation, but by the uncertainty of war.
The ongoing war on Iran by the United States and Israel has now entered its third week. While some days feel calmer than others, the possibility of missile strikes and retaliation remains present across the region. Gulf Arab countries have found themselves caught in the middle of a conflict they did not start. Because of their strategic alliances and geographic location, they risk becoming collateral in a war that is not their own.
The timing makes the situation even more unsettling. The escalation has unfolded during Ramadhan, a period traditionally defined by peace, family gatherings and spiritual renewal. Instead, the region has experienced the sounds of sirens, missile interceptions and anxious conversations about safety. The contrast is stark: a month that should encourage calm and reflection has been interrupted by the constant reminder that violence can erupt at any moment.
In Oman, the threat is less compared to that in some neighbouring Gulf states, but the war has still created a sense of shock and unease. Many people in the country never imagined they would feel even indirectly connected to a regional conflict on this scale. Oman has long prided itself on maintaining diplomatic neutrality and stability in the region. Yet even here, the war has changed the atmosphere.
People are still preparing for Eid, decorating homes, buying clothes and planning family gatherings. But it does not feel the same. During previous years, travel across the region was taken for granted. Families living abroad could easily fly home to spend Eid together. This year, uncertainty surrounds those journeys.
Airspace closures in parts of the Gulf, particularly in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, have disrupted international travel routes. For many Omanis studying or working abroad, connecting flights through these hubs have become difficult. As a result, some families are facing the possibility of celebrating Eid apart.
Hamood al Amri, a 21-year-old Omani student studying in Cardiff in the United Kingdom, was fortunate enough to secure a direct flight from London to Muscat with Oman Air in order to spend the final week of Ramadhan and Eid with his family. Still, the war has changed how the moment feels.
“The vibes are definitely different this year because of the war,” he said. “I’m excited for Eid, but I can’t truly enjoy the moment knowing what is going on in the region and that innocent lives are taken for imperialist reasons.”
For Hamood, the relief of reaching home is mixed with uncertainty about the weeks ahead. Like many international students, he is worried that further escalation could disrupt travel again, making it difficult to return to London in time for his final exams.
His experience reflects a wider sentiment across the region. Even in countries where daily life remains relatively stable, the war has altered the emotional landscape. News of missile interceptions in neighbouring states, along with reports of strikes targeting infrastructure, including oil facilities in Oman, reminds people that the conflict could expand at any time.
Officially, civilians are rarely described as targets in modern warfare. Yet history repeatedly shows that civilians suffer the most. When missiles strike military facilities or strategic infrastructure, surrounding communities are inevitably placed at risk. When casualties occur, they are often described as collateral damage, an expression that can make tragic losses sound almost technical.
Across the Middle East, civilians in countries such as Lebanon, Palestine and Iran have already experienced the devastating human cost of this conflict. Entire neighbourhoods have been damaged, families displaced and lives lost. Gulf countries may not be experiencing the same scale of destruction, but the knowledge that others in the region are suffering makes it difficult to celebrate without reflection.
Eid, by its nature, is meant to bring happiness. But it is also a time when Muslims are reminded to think about those who are struggling, through charity, prayer and empathy. This year, that reminder feels especially present.
In Oman and across the Gulf, people will still gather with their families. Children will still receive gifts and homes will still fill with the smell of traditional food. Life continues, even in uncertain times. But the celebrations carry a quieter tone.
Oman al Yahyai
The writer is a multilingual writer and media professional based in Paris. She specialises in human rights and immigration
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