Al-Qalam 
[Photo: Anadolu Agency]
This Eid, we celebrate all who live their lives in the pursuit of peace and who help to make the world a just and humane place, writes Imam Dr A. Rashied Omar.
Eid-al-Fitr is not only a time to bid farewell to Ramadan, but it is also an occasion to celebrate our spiritual accomplishments and moral lessons learnt during the past month of fasting.
Whenever we, as Muslims, have cause to celebrate, we do so with humility. We are, therefore, mindful of and give thanks for the many blessings and good things in our lives. Allah, the One who bountifully rewards all acts of goodness, has counselled us to celebrate Eid al-Fitr in this dignified manner.
In the Glorious Qur’an, in surah al-Baqarah, chapter 2, verse 185, Allah, the Sublime, proclaims: God desires that you complete the prescribed number of fasting days and that you extol and glorify Him for having guided you and that you render thanks and gratitude unto Him (Q2:185)
Eid al-Fitr is thus first and foremost a day of thanksgiving for the many blessings that we enjoy in our lives. But Eid al-Fitr is also a day of reflection and introspection. This year, 2024, our Eid al-Fitr celebrations take place at a time when a number of deadly conflicts are raging in many parts of the world. The two most publicized wars are the unfolding Israeli genocide perpetrated in the Gaza Strip and the Russian–Ukrainian War. Other lesser-reported but equally devastating civil wars are currently taking place in the Sudan, Myanmar, Haiti, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. As conscientious Muslims and Responsible Global Citizens, it behoves us to spare a thought and especially prayer for the suffering victims of these wars on the blessed Day of Eid al-Fitr.
All predictions are that the 2024 Eid al-Fitr festival in the Gaza Strip will be a scaled-down event compared to that of previous years. Eid al-Fitr in Gaza this year will be taking place under the shadow of daily Israeli bombing and slow death caused by famine and starvation. It will be difficult, if not impossible, for many Gazans to discharge the end of Ramadan alms, given their dire plight. They will, without a doubt, share whatever meagre belongings they have with each other to mark the blessed occasion of Eid al-Fitr.
Even if a ceasefire agreement is reached before the end of Ramadan the lasting effects of the war and the blocking of humanitarian aid will be felt for a long time to come. Despite the challenges posed by Gaza’s precarious situation, the people of Gaza will come together to celebrate Eid al-Fitr with resilience and solidarity. They will exchange Eid greetings and find much-needed joy and comfort in their shared traditions and faith commitment, albeit in a more subdued manner.
On the Day of Eid, we celebrate all those who purposefully live their lives in the pursuit of peace with justice and lovingly spend their time and resources helping to make the world a more just and humane place.
On Eid day, we also call to mind and pray for an end to wars and for the liberation of all people who are oppressed and exploited wherever they may find themselves and from whatever creed, ethnicity or nationality they come from. We pray that Allah, the Lord of Compassionate Justice, will guide the leaders of the world to fashion a more compassionate, just and peaceful world.
May you all enjoy a festive Eid, and may you live well in the grace of God.
Eid Sa`id wa Mubarak.
