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Ramadan is the holiness month in the Islamic calendar. It is not a religious holiday, as some may think, it is a sacred month full of fasting, devotion, dedication, and prayer. From February 28th to March 29th over 2 billion muslims worldwide participate in this practice. From muslims in the US to muslims in Islamic countries, the month of Ramadan is highly valued and revered.
Palestine is a majority muslim nation, with over 85% of its residents being Sunni Muslim, meaning that they too participate in the month of Ramadan. Palestinian food has even become a staple for other Muslims during Ramadan. Foods like Malquba, Maftoul, and Musakhan are loved dishes which are eaten during Iftar. These foods remind people of home and community, meant to be eaten together with family and friends but now ever since October of 2023, Palestine has been experiencing extreme disorder and destruction.
The genocide on Palestine has been a hot issue for over a year now. Even though Palestine and Israel have had issues for a few decades now, in recent years with the large amounts of deaths and destruction, the involvement of other countries, and the wide range of protests going on all around the world, this issue has become more well known.
However, on January 19th 2025, Israel and Palestine reached an agreement and a ceasefire was established, the fight seemed to be over. Of course there was still the damages and the massacre of Palestinians to be fixed but it was a step in the right direction for rehabilitation.
But on March 2nd, Israel cut off electricity to Gaza after previously blocking food and healthcare from entering. By cutting off electricity, Israel has cut power to the Gaza Desalination plants, which make clean and drinkable water for over 2 million Palestinians.
These actions are a violation of the ceasefire, and also a crime against humanity because Israel is cutting off bare necessities and causing the death of so many people everyday due to these lack of resources.
But despite it all, Palestinians, on top of the rubble and disarray of their home are still participating in Ramadan and have not lost hope.
In Gaza, families are putting up decorations and painting walls of broken walls and buildings, showing their absolute dedication to this sacred time. The bold colors of the Palestine flag adorn destroyed buildings and lanterns light the way to refugees who have not abandoned their faith or home despite the genocide and displacement.
But the issue still lies in the ever-growing famine. Kids who are growing desperate from starvation and dehydration are digging through scraps and rubble to find the remains of food, food that is covered in dirt, remnants of broken buildings, and artillery shells. These kids are finding any bits of food to eat and bring home to their families, little siblings, grandparents, and people who now have amputated limbs due to injuries caused by the attacks.
But even then, finding food in the rubble is still difficult and rare, so people have also resorted to eating grass. Children walk around with grass and weeds in their mouths, trying to do anything to fill their stomachs. This leads to sickness and infections that they don’t even have the healthcare to treat these issues.
On good days, journalists and supporters who came to Gaza to offer help and aid can make large pots of rice and hand it out to the civilians. People come together with empty pots, trying to get as much rice as they can to bring back to their families, but sharing food with so many people can only feed so many mouths. Sometimes, the quantities aren’t enough, and that’s what leads to this repeated cycle of hunger, starvation, dehydration, and death.
But the people of Gaza are not done fighting, with every day that passes showing their will and determination to live through this war and keep their homes. You can also help them continue this fight by sharing the stories of the victims and also donating to families in need. Links to organizations who are actively helping the people of Gaza will be linked below.
https://buildpalestine.com/2021/05/15/trusted-organizations-to-donate-to-palestine/
https://www.map.org.uk/?form=FUNFXHDCJPK
https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-falestine-and-family-survive-the-gaza-crisis
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