Quick Read
- Global Eid Celebrations: Muslims worldwide celebrated Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of Ramadan, amid global concerns for the crisis in Gaza and the anticipated Israeli offensive in Rafah.
- Solidarity with Palestine: In Nairobi, Kenya, imam Abdulrahman Musa called for remembering Palestinians facing violence, echoing a sentiment of solidarity across various regions, including a message from Turkish President Erdogan describing Gaza as a humanitarian wound.
- Support Demonstrations: In Istanbul, worshipers at the Aya Sofya Mosque showed support for Gaza, with some carrying Palestinian flags and chanting slogans, reflecting the global concern for the region’s humanitarian crisis.
- Gratitude and Reflection: Amidst the backdrop of international issues, Eid al-Fitr was also a time for gratitude and reflection, with markets bustling with shoppers before the holiday and families traveling to celebrate with loved ones.
- Indonesian Celebrations: Indonesia saw significant travel for the holiday, known locally as “mudik,” with citizens expressing happiness in celebrating Eid despite economic challenges like surging food prices.
- Calls for Solidarity: Preachers emphasized the need for humanitarian solidarity with Gaza, highlighting the conflict as a humanitarian issue beyond religious divisions.
- Diverse Celebrations: In Berlin, the Eid congregation included individuals from various backgrounds, underscoring the universal themes of gratitude and giving.
- Security Measures: In Pakistan, authorities deployed extensive security forces to ensure safety during Eid celebrations, reflecting the importance of maintaining peace during significant religious events.
- Cultural Sensitivity: Malaysia’s recent controversy over socks printed with the word “Allah” highlighted the need for cultural and religious sensitivity, with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim calling for unity and respect for diverse cultural practices.
- Eid’s Universal Message: Eid al-Fitr’s celebrations worldwide emphasized themes of unity, gratitude, and solidarity, both within the Muslim community and in support of global humanitarian causes.
The Associated Press has the story:
Muslims worldwide celebrate Eid al-Fitr in the shadow of Gaza’s misery
Newslooks- ISTANBUL (AP) —
Muslims around the world celebrated the Eid al-Fitr holiday Wednesday, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan. But events were overshadowed by the worsening crisis in Gaza and Israel’s expected military offensive in Rafah city after six months of war.
“We should not forget our brothers and sisters in Palestine,” imam Abdulrahman Musa said in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi. “They have been subjected to unjustified aggression and a lot of violence (as) the world is watching in silence.”
In a holiday message, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan sent support to Gaza, which he called a “bleeding wound on the conscience of humanity.”
In Istanbul, thousands of worshipers gathered at the Aya Sofya Mosque for prayers, some carrying Palestinian flags and chanting slogans in support of people in Gaza, where the United Nations and partners warn that more than a million people are at threat of imminent famine and little aid is allowed in.
Elsewhere, people were grateful for the plenty they had after a month of fasting and reflection. Before the Eid al-Fitr holiday, markets around the world teemed with shoppers. Residents poured out of cities to return to villages to celebrate with loved ones.
In Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim nation, nearly three-quarters of the population were traveling for the annual homecoming known locally as “mudik.”
“This is a right moment to reconnect, like recharging energy that has been drained almost a year away from home,” said civil servant Ridho Alfian, who lives in the Jakarta area and was traveling to Lampung province at the southern tip of Sumatra island.
For Arini Dewi, Eid al-Fitr is a day of victory from economic difficulties during Ramadan. “I’m happy in celebrating Eid holiday despite the surge of food prices,” said the mother of two.
Jakarta’s Istiqlal Grand Mosque, the largest in Southeast Asia, was flooded with devotees offering morning prayers.
Preachers in their sermons called on people to pray for Muslims in Gaza who were suffering after six months of war.
“This is the time for Muslims and non-Muslims to show humanitarian solidarity, because the conflict in Gaza is not a religious war, but a humanitarian problem,” said Jimly Asshiddiqie, who chairs the advisory board of the Indonesian Mosque Council.
In Berlin, worshipers reflected the world, coming from Benin, Ghana, Syria, Afghanistan and Turkey.
“It’s a day where we feel grateful for everything we have here, and think and give to those who are poor, facing war and have to go hungry,” said Azhra Ahmad, a 45-year-old mother of five.
In Pakistan, authorities deployed more than 100,000 police and paramilitary forces to maintain security at mosques and marketplaces.
In Malaysia, ethnic Malay Muslims performed morning prayers at mosques nationwide just weeks after socks printed with the word “Allah” at a convenience store chain sparked a furor. Many found it offensive to associate the word with feet or for it to be used inappropriately.
Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim called for unity and reconciliation in his message on the eve of Eid, saying no groups should be sidelined based on religion or any other reason.
“We must be firm, resolute and unwavering in our commitment to foster values and build a dignified nation,” he said. “However, let us not take this as a license or opportunity to insult, undermine, or damage the cultural practices and way of life of others.”
