This year’s Islamic holy month of Ramadan has been a bloody one with attacks occurring in Baghdad, Dhaka, Istanbul and Medina. Daesh (ISIS) is suspected as being behind them all.
The violence is causing many bittersweet feelings and ambivalence among Muslims who are currently celebrating Eid al-Fitr-the holiday which ends the holy month with social gatherings, prayer and bountiful feasts. As Eid kicks off Wednesday, many Muslims on Twitter are using the hashtag #BlackEid to demonstrate their sadness over the violence this holiday season.
High profile and not, Muslims from around the world tweeted with the hashtag #BlackEid in the days leading up to Eid.
I'm in mourning for Eid this year. I'll be wearing black in protest &in memory of the dead.Killed by jihadist terrorists. Join me #BlackEid
— maajid nawaz (@MaajidNawaz) July 4, 2016
We should not be celebrating this #Eid. We should be reflecting on what has gone wrong and what we can do better. #BlackEid #EidMubarak
— Alya Al-Sultani (@Alyaalsultani) July 5, 2016
I'm in mourning for Eid this year. I'll be wearing black in protest &in memory of the dead.Killed by jihadist terrorists. Join me #BlackEid
— Gini Khan (@giniromet) July 5, 2016
It wasn’t all blood and tears on Twitter, however, as many more Muslims tweeted happy holiday messages.
Eid is supposed to be a joyous occasion where family and friends gather over delicious food. As scores of people across the Middle East, Europe and South Asia instead bury their dead this Eid, the epic John Lennon lyrics come to mind. “So this is Christmas, and what have you done?” Swap Christmas for Eid and the words sum up how many Muslims feel towards Daesh and other militants this holiday.
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