John,

Tomorrow is the first day of Ramadan, the holiest month of the year for Muslims.

One woman interviewed in Gaza said: “We used to look forward to this time of the year, but people are now concerned with how they'll survive Ramadan.”

Describing the trauma her children are enduring, she said “There's no happiness, there's no excitement… We are alive but not living.”

For years during this holy month, Israeli forces have stormed Jerusalem’s sacred Al-Aqsa mosque, firing tear gas, rubber-coated bullets, and stun grenades at people kneeling to pray.

In the past 5 months, Israel’s military has destroyed or damaged over 500 mosques in Gaza. The Israeli Heritage Minister who proposed dropping a nuclear bomb on Gaza recently said: “The so-called month of Ramadan must be wiped out.”

Prime Minister Netanyahu has also threatened to intensify attacks on Rafah at the start of Ramadan, where more than 1.5 million Palestinians are trapped after being forced to flee other so-called safe zones.

Ramadan is a time for community care and connection, for self-reflection and mindfulness, for renewal and recharging.

It should be a time of joy as well, and a time to honor our shared humanity. This year, Muslims around the world are navigating heavy grief.

As we begin Ramadan, may we remember that each one of us is sacred.

Regardless of background, may all of us seek strength to sustain ourselves and continue demanding human dignity, justice, and freedom around the world.

With compassion,

Rashida