As the month of Ramadan draws to a close, like any other past Ramadans do, this year’s Ramadan has been particularly filled with tragedy, anger and despair. Just barely 3 weeks after the Manchester Arena Bombing, another attack took place in the Southwark district of London, England, where a van mounted the pavement of London Bridge on 3 June. As the world watched in horror of the attacks that followed one by one over the course of this year, Islamophobic-related incidents have been peaking at obscene numbers since Trump’s declaration of his Muslim ban.
What was supposed to be a month of forgiveness and unity for the Muslim community has turned to the unnecessary bloodshed of hundreds and thousands of innocents by sadists who commit these inhumane hate crimes on others and even their own people in such a sacred practice of respect and gratitude. In the wake of the recent attack on a London Mosque, these attacks are not just a war on race and religion but a war on humanity and should not be representing an entire community that practices peace and acceptance. While we deem ourselves living in a progressive society, “progressiveness” won’t be moving forward as long as our mindsets are going hundreds of steps back,
Despite all the chaos and the wrongness in the world happening in June, Muslims all over the world stood in solidarity together in facing these harsh times that befalls on them through love and selflessness. We see Muslim teenagers and adults alike banging on the doors of residents of the Grenfell Tower and rushing to people’s aid with water and food, mosques opening their doors to provide shelter and care for all and many more heroic actions that followed, showing the world that
“ONE DOES NOT REPRESENT ALL”
This year’s Hari Raya Puasa is not just a celebration of the cherished bonds with family and friends but also marks the solidarity of Muslims around the world during these times of uncertainty; to protest against the violence inflicted upon their brothers and sisters and to stand tall against prejudices to fight for what is right and just in this world.
So, as you witness this sacred celebration in wherever part of the world you live in, remember those who have lost and grieved, fight for those who have grown tired of the world’s myopic view on them and push forward for those in times of violence.
