Samreen Iqbal

Milton

This year Ramadan is different. There is a sinking feeling while preparing Ramadan snacks ahead of time. It does not feel satisfying. Usually when the Ramadan prep is done,the intention is to utilize the time in Ramadan for ibadah. We try to keep the focus on the food to as much as needed so that we are able to feed our families and do our daily routine of Quran, Dora Quran, prayers etc. But this year looking at the scenes of forced starvation in Gaza, the latest flour masacare, the blockaid on Aid entering in Gaza, every thing that we do has a sense of guilt on it. How well surrounded we are with food,comfort and peace, and how vulnerable, lonely and starved the people of Gaza are!. We always hear, what can we do for them? We cannot do much!. I think to myself really?. Is that so?. Should we just continue with our hoarding of food, clothes and all the luxuries of our lives. Should we just shrug away our role as Muslims in the suffering of people of Gaza and just carry on with our own festivities?.
The answer to my conscience is a clear NO.
What I plan on doing is to make more dua. I have been lazy on doing so. I will from now on make more dua. I will talk to my children on the subject more. I will not waste food during Ramadan. I will not waste the very food for which my brothers and sisters were martyred. While buying flour , we must remember the flour massacre. While doing all of this I will remember those who were complicit in this Genocide. Who are persistent in carrying on with the Genocide and not paying any heed to the calls of Cease fire pounding their conscience from all parts of the world. And most importantly what I will remember and I want all of us Muslims to remember, that it’s the people of Gaza right now, but soon it will be us. We will be tried and tested for our faith as well. The form of the test might take one shape or the other . But the test will come surely. In order to prepare for such an event, we must take example from the faith of people of Gaza. From the mothers, and the fathers, the sons and daughters the weak and strong ,each of them are heroes. Each one of them is an inspiration. This Ramadan may Allah unite the ummah, may our Iman grow stronger.

May Allah alleviate the suffering of the people of Gaza. May Allah free Palestine. Ameen