Eid Mubarak!
This week is Eid al-Fitr - or Little Eid - an important religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide to mark the end of Ramadan. This annual occasion is a multiple-day affair when people are encouraged to forgive and forget any differences, hurts and misunderstandings that may have occurred during the year. It’s a time for communal unity; what’s not to love about that?
But is open-heartedness on a grand scale possible given the horrific headlines of the past few weeks? Consider the general escalation in terrorism sponsored by the Taliban and al-Qaeda, and add a side of natural disaster. Such events make it hard to harken happy thoughts to celebrate the end of Ramadan.
It's no secret that media preoccupation with violence, danger, sex and conflict can inure us to shocking info and imagery - and mind-blowing atrocities have been happening at an increasing clip. We are reaching a saturation point that can numb human response, but - in times of crisis - inertia is not an option.
The world’s holy men apparently agree.
A senior Iranian cleric has called on Muslim nations to stand up against Israel’s massacre of Palestinians in Gaza. “This great tragedy has hurt the conscience of humanity and Islamic countries claiming to be advocates of human rights must wake up,” said Kazem Seddiqi, according to the Tehran Times.
Yousif Habash, Iraqi-born bishop of the Syriac Catholic Church, implored, "Where is the conscience of the world? Where is the United Nations? Where is the American administration to protect peace and justice?"
Speaking on the 1,500 Christians who have fled Mosul in the wake of ISIS death threats, Chaldean Catholic Bishop Shlemon Warduni said, "The world must act, speak out, consider human rights."
Maybe this Eid-al-Fitr - the “Feast of Breaking the Fast” - can also become the Feast of Breaking the violence because right now, it’s all tears, fears and sadness as many festivities will be cancelled in conflict. What can we do to make a difference? How can we be agents for peace? Write a message, donate time or money. Take positive action in your own way.
From our hearts to the spirit of faith, Eid Mubarak.
