Dr Bilawal Kamran
While many around the world are preparing to celebrate Eidul Fitr, a time of joy and family togetherness marking the end of Ramadan, millions of Muslims find themselves in regions devastated by war, genocide, and starvation. The stark contrast between these celebrations and the realities faced by countless Muslim communities across the globe underscores the deep divisions and ongoing crises that continue to define the lives of many in the Muslim world.
This Eid, as we gather with our loved ones, it is crucial to remember those in places like Palestine, Kashmir, Yemen, Syria, and Lebanon, where the festival is overshadowed by violence and suffering. From Gaza’s continued bombardment to the hardships in the war-torn regions of Syria and Yemen, the Muslim world is facing unprecedented levels of hardship and strife. In many ways, this Eid serves as a somber reminder that for millions, peace and stability remain elusive, and their daily existence is marked by fear, loss, and uncertainty.
The people of Gaza are among the most devastated by ongoing conflict. Despite fleeting hopes of peace, Israel shattered the fragile ceasefire on March 18, 2024, resuming its brutal campaign against the enclave. Since the collapse of the truce, over 900 Palestinians have been killed, pushing the death toll in Gaza to more than 50,000 since October 7, 2023. The situation is dire, with civilians bearing the brunt of this unrelenting violence.
In the wake of the Israeli onslaught, Gaza remains a land in ruins, with families mourning the loss of loved ones, homes destroyed, and entire communities displaced. The world watches in silence as Israel continues to violate international law with impunity, carrying out what many observers have described as acts of genocide. Meanwhile, in the occupied West Bank, violence continues, with Israeli forces carrying out bloodshed and aggressive incursions that only add to the suffering of Palestinians.
Syria, once a thriving nation, is another example of a country where peace remains a distant dream. Although Bashar al-Assad’s regime was ostensibly ousted in December 2023, the country remains mired in instability, with ongoing sectarian violence and no real prospects for lasting peace. Militants aligned with the Assad government have been accused of carrying out brutal massacres against the Alawi community, further exacerbating the country’s divisions and perpetuating cycles of violence.
To make matters worse, Israel has expanded its occupation of Syrian territory, systematically dismantling the country’s defense capabilities to ensure it remains vulnerable to further Israeli aggression. Syria’s sovereignty is continuously violated, as Israel carries out airstrikes, targeting critical infrastructure and military sites, ensuring that the country remains unable to defend itself from foreign intervention.
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Lebanon, which had enjoyed a fragile peace after the November 2023 truce between Israel and Hezbollah, is once again under threat as Israeli airstrikes have bombed areas of Beirut. The fragile stability achieved by the ceasefire is now under severe strain, with Israel’s actions creating further instability in the region. Lebanon, already struggling with internal political and economic challenges, is now faced with the repercussions of Israeli actions on its soil.
The situation in Yemen remains one of the most dire humanitarian crises in the world, with the ongoing war between Houthi rebels and the internationally recognized government exacerbating the suffering of the civilian population. The U.S., in its attempts to curb Houthi influence, has conducted airstrikes against the group, killing over 50 people, including civilians, in the process.
The United States’ involvement in Yemen, under the guise of punishing the Houthis for their anti-Israel rhetoric and their blockade of the Red Sea, only serves to prolong the misery of the Yemeni people. The U.S.-led coalition’s support for the Yemeni government has had disastrous consequences for the civilian population, with no clear end to the conflict in sight.
In occupied Kashmir, the struggle for self-determination continues as Indian authorities maintain tight control over the region. The Kashmiri people continue to face repression, with their fundamental rights denied by an increasingly authoritarian Indian government. The rise of Hindutva politics has further marginalized Indian Muslims, with their religious and cultural identity under constant attack.
Despite repeated calls from Kashmiri leaders and the international community for a peaceful resolution to the region’s conflict, there is little hope for a solution. The people of Kashmir remain trapped in a cycle of oppression, with no clear path forward toward freedom and self-determination.
Sudan, too, is in the throes of a bloody civil war that has been ongoing for two years. Despite international calls for peace and a resolution to the conflict, there seems to be no end in sight. The fighting has displaced millions and caused widespread suffering, with little hope of the situation improving in the near future.
What is perhaps most disheartening is the lack of a unified response from the Muslim world, particularly from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), which is meant to represent and protect the interests of Muslim-majority countries. Instead of taking concrete steps to address these crises, the OIC has largely issued empty statements of solidarity, offering little more than thoughts and prayers.
While many Muslim states continue to maintain diplomatic relations with Israel, there has been little pressure placed on Tel Aviv to end its brutal campaigns against Palestinians and other Muslim-majority countries. In fact, some Muslim nations that have established ties with Israel have not taken any substantial steps to suspend diplomatic relations in the face of ongoing atrocities. This lack of action stands in stark contrast to the more vocal responses from non-Muslim countries like South Africa, Brazil, and Colombia, which have taken stronger stances in support of Palestinian rights.
For the people of Gaza, Syria, Yemen, Kashmir, and other war-torn regions, the suffering is unrelenting. Until the Muslim world steps up and takes practical, unified action to end these atrocities, these populations will continue to endure unimaginable hardship. The time for mere words is over; the world’s Muslims must demand tangible steps from their governments to address these crises.
The celebration of Eidul Fitr should be a reminder to us all that we cannot ignore the suffering of our brothers and sisters around the world. As we enjoy the blessings of this holy month, let us not forget those who are enduring unimaginable pain and loss. It is time for the Muslim world to rise above divisions, offer real support, and demand an end to the wars, oppression, and suffering that so many are enduring. Until this happens, Eid will remain just another day of sorrow for millions of Muslims worldwide.
