Global Muslims Unite in Spirit on Eid Al-Adha, with Thoughts Turned to Gaza
As Muslims worldwide came together to celebrate Eid Al-Adha, a festival honoring the Prophet Ibrahim’s unwavering faith, their joy was tempered by concern for those in Gaza. This sacred holiday, marked by prayers, symbolic animal sacrifices, and the sharing of food and gifts with loved ones, took on a somber tone as communities remembered their brothers and sisters in the Gaza Strip.
In Nairobi, Kenya, Muslims gathered on Friday to observe the occasion, their thoughts and prayers extending to the people of Gaza, who have faced immense hardship. The Gaza Strip has been without fresh meat for three months, and the indigenous livestock has been decimated after 20 months of Israeli attacks. This stark reality hung over the festivities, as Muslims in Kenya and beyond stood in solidarity with those struggling to celebrate.
Abdulrahman Mursal, leading Eid prayers as an Imam in Nairobi, voiced the sentiments of many when he said, "We ask Allah to hear their [Palestinian] cries." He emphasized the importance of unity among Muslims, reminding them to be "your sisters and brothers keeper." Mursal’s words echoed the feelings of empathy and shared humanity that defined the day. "We feel their pain, as much as we are far from them," he added, highlighting the unifying force of Muslim brotherhood. "We ask Allah to give them victory and to give victory to all the other Muslims wherever they are, if they are facing any kind of oppression."
The celebrations, though marred by the plight of those in Gaza, served as a poignant reminder of the resilience and compassion that define the Muslim community. As the world marked Eid Al-Adha, the true spirit of the festival shone through – a testament to the power of faith, unity, and the unwavering commitment to standing together in the face of adversity. In the end, it was not just a celebration of a sacred moment in Islamic history but a call to action, a reminder of the responsibility that comes with brotherhood, and the hope for a future where all can rejoice without the shadow of hardship.
