Al-Qalam 
Ramadan is a sacred invitation to transform sorrow into moral courage and spiritual resolve, writes Imam Dr Rashied Omar
Ramadan 2026 arrives within a deeply troubling global context. From the looming threat of an imperial war against Iran to the devastating civil war in Sudan, from the repeated violations of the fragile Gaza ‘ceasefire’ to the prospect of deepening suffering as the sacred month unfolds, the Muslim conscience is burdened with profound anguish and moral urgency.
Across continents, calls for protest and solidarity rise like a restless chorus, reminding us that this Ramadan dawns amid acute human vulnerability and political turmoil. Such a precarious global moment threatens to defile the devotion, compassion, and serenity that are the hallmarks of this sacred month.
In the face of relentless images of destruction and grief, it would be easy to surrender to despair. Yet the spiritual wisdom of Ramadan calls us in the opposite direction. Notwithstanding the despondency that surrounds us, conscientious believers are summoned to resist fear, refuse hopelessness, and keep alive the lamp of hope within their communities.
Ramadan is not merely a retreat from the world’s suffering; it is a sacred invitation to transform sorrow into moral courage and spiritual resolve.
Hunger and thirst are not ends in themselves; they are pathways toward empathy. Through fasting, the spiritual seeker learns to feel, if only faintly, the vulnerability of the poor, the displaced, and the marginalized.
In a world scarred by war, occupation, and structural injustice, this cultivated empathy must move beyond sentiment into meaningful action. We are therefore called to adorn our fasts with benevolence.
Ramadan generosity cannot remain confined to ritual charity alone; it must blossom into sincere and active solidarity with those who suffer. Supporting humanitarian relief, amplifying truthful witness, and participating in nonviolent movements for justice are all expressions of a living fast. Our hope for a more compassionate and just world must be embodied in courageous engagement: standing alongside civil society activists, joining campaigns that resist warmongering and injustice, and bearing moral witness in public spaces, including peaceful protest where conscience demands it.
As we enter Ramadan 2026, let us recommit ourselves to the sacred work of peace and justice. Let our masajid become sanctuaries of prayer and centres of compassionate action for justice. Let our charity grow deeper, our solidarity wider, and our hope more steadfast. Let us teach our children that faith is not passive resignation but courageous trust in Allah, expressed through service to humanity.
Above all, let us keep the lamp of hope burning within our hearts, our homes, and our communities. For Ramadan is, and has always been, a reminder that even in the darkest nights, the light of divine mercy continues to shine.
May this blessed month renew our spirits, strengthen our resolve, and guide us toward becoming bearers of compassion, justice, and peace in a wounded world. Allahumma Amin.
