This year’s Eid al-Fitr comes at a time when Muslims around the world are coming together in solidarity. Gaza is under siege from a settler-colonial state. The treatment of Uighur Muslims in detention camps has been declared a ‘crime against humanity’. Black Muslims face multiple oppressions. Kashmiri Muslims continue to live under occupation. Queer Muslims face persecution and rejection.
As ever, Muslims have come together to express grief and hope.
Palestine
Palestinian activist Muhammad Smiry shared an image of people praying together:
Eid Fitr Mubarak from the capital of Palestine pic.twitter.com/o3qvt0pH4o
— Muhammad Smiry
(@MuhammadSmiry) May 13, 2021
Author Elif Shafak shared thoughts on the heartbreak of Eid celebrations in Palestine:
In these painful, heartbreaking and extremely difficult times, wishing a peaceful #EidMubarak to everyone celebrating across the world, but especially, especially, to the mothers and children of Palestine #EidAlFitr
— Elif Shafak (@Elif_Safak) May 13, 2021
Others expressed hope for justice:
I pray for freedom and justice for the Palestinian people. Eid Mubarak and may we have a better tomorrow
— ahmed ali akbar (@radbrowndads) May 13, 2021
Grief and hope
Celebrations were beset by grief:
#EidMubarak to all fellow Muslims, particularly my queer Muslim & Arab siblings who find navigating this period without family especially tough. It feels like an impossible time to celebrate anything with what's going on in Palestine, and my heart is just so full with grief.
— Amrou Al-Kadhi
(@Glamrou) May 13, 2021
Others turned to strategies for activism as a source of comfort:
"To me, abolitionist work is a form of worship and following the principles of Islam, a religion that was founded on questioning existing systems that haven’t served us."–Malek Ansari, MASGD co-cooordinator https://t.co/UUgaPTlnOY
— The MASGD (@TheMASGD) May 12, 2021
The co-founder of Free Rohingya Coalition, a network of Rohingya refugees, shared this message:
May the people of Myanmar and all oppressed people around the world be free from oppression soon.
We are celebrating Eid this year without happiness but we shall have a happy Eid next year.
May the Spring Revolution succeed soon.#EidMubarak to everyone.#EidUlFitr #Eid pic.twitter.com/2yvEVYGlM2
— Ro Nay San Lwin (@nslwin) May 13, 2021
Community
Many others made connections between different communities of Muslims:
#EidMubarak to all marking Eid, may your celebrations be filled with nourishment, community and connection.
Holding in mind what is happening in Palestine, India & Yemen, and hoping that there can be space for joy and pleasure, alongside our shared grief and anger.
— Radical Therapist Network (@RadTherapistNet) May 13, 2021
Eid Mubarak, may Allah accept our fasts and forgive our shortcomings.
May the hearts of those who lost loved ones in the last year be soothed.
May the Palestinians, Uyghurs, Rohingya, Yemenis, Kashmiris, Black communities and oppressed people all over the world be granted justice— Ayo خليل (@AyoOlatunji8) May 13, 2021
eid mubarak
— Bim Adewunmi (@bimadew) May 12, 2021
Joy
Eid Mubarak, loves. Despite everything, despite it all, we deserve joy.
— Farah Naz Rishi
(@farahnazrishi) May 13, 2021
The horrors of colonialism, racism, and neoliberalism are plain to see. What we can also see, however, is the commitment of Muslims across the world to community and solidarity. Resistance is an act tethered in a hope for a better future. It acts as a balm for a painful present, and a too-often erased history.
Featured image via Unsplash/Raimond Klavins
This post was originally published on The Canary.
