Ramadan & Hunger in Gaza

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting (sawm), prayer (salah), reflection, and community.

A few days ago the United States did an air drop of food aid into Gaza, the ravaged enclave where roughly 500,000 Palestinians are at risk of starvation. In yet another tragic incident some of the parachutes for the crates failed to deploy and five people on the ground were killed. 

This was a terrible precursor to the beginning of Ramadan, the Islamic period of 40 days of fasting that began last evening. Ramadan is a requirement yet also a choice for Muslims, and in no way is depriving children, the elderly, and others the expectation. Quite the opposite, the vulnerable are excluded from this expectation. 

Ramadan 2024 is a very different event from previous years in many places around the world. Along with the spectres of malnutrition and death by starvation this Ramadan has political overtones as well. Here in Canada politicians who might normally attend events at mosques are being told to stay away if they are unwilling to call for a ceasefire in Gaza. While we are generally wary of politicizing religion it is undestandable that what is happening in that region is a source of pain for other Muslims.

Last year around this time we were in Israel. We spent a couple of days in Jerusalem for the intersection of Ramadan, Passover/Pesach, and Easter. There was a considerable military presence because of the heightened tensions and we were grateful that nothing developed. We couldn't have imagined what would transpire only a few months later. 

As Christians we can mourn with Muslims who are suffering physically and psychologically during this holy period. And yes, Canada must do much more in responding to the humanitarian crisis, including calling for a ceasefire. 

                                                                        Hungry Children in Gaza