Ramadan is a time of self-reflection, family, and joy for more than 1.8 billion Muslims worldwide.
But with Israel’s war on Gaza, which has killed more than 31,000 Palestinians and plunged the tiny coastal enclave deeper into a humanitarian crisis, this year’s Islamic holy month – which began on Sunday night – has a different feel.
In Canada, the Muslim community’s pain over the situation in Gaza – and a widespread perception that Canadian politicians are not doing enough to stop the crisis – has fueled an unprecedented campaign
this Ramadan.
We see our brothers and sisters in Palestine dying every day. “We’re seeing a flood of horrific images,” said Fatima Abdallah, advocacy officer at the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM).
“So, this Ramadan is definitely going to be very difficult for everyone.”
The NCCM is among more than 300 Muslim groups in the North American country that issued an ultimatum to Canadian politicians: act to end the war and defend Palestinian rights, or you’ll face
community gatherings this month. will not be allowed to talk to.
The organizations, which include advocacy groups as well as mosques and cultural centers, demanded five things from lawmakers, ranging from condemning Israeli war crimes to opposing Canadian arms transfers to Israel and This includes supporting an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
“If MPs cannot publicly commit to all these demands, then unfortunately we cannot provide them a platform to address our gatherings,” Abdullah said.
‘Very disappointed’
Like the rest of the world, Canada has seen large protests for months calling for an end to the Gaza war, which began in early October.
Israel’s attacks on the besieged Palestinian territories have caused widespread destruction and displacement, and the Israeli government is also blocking the delivery of much-needed aid.
The United Nations has warned of mass starvation and disease, while the International Court of Justice ruled in late January that the enclave posed a potential threat of genocide – and ordered Israel to
stop genocide.
“We are deeply disappointed by the response of our elected officials in Canada to the devastating destruction in Gaza,” said Nawaz Tahir, spokesman for the Hikmat Public Affairs Council, a Muslim
community in and around London, Ontario. An advocacy group, which signed the letter.
“Historically, we have invited political officials to our events, our mosques, to celebrate the concept of community during Ramadan. It is difficult to do that when there is such a mass killing of our brothers
and sisters in Palestine.
Canada has maintained close ties with Israel for decades, and the government of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau remains a strong ally of the country.
For the first two months of the Gaza war, Ottawa resisted public pressure to call for a lasting ceasefire, supporting a push for a “humanitarian pause.” In December, Canada reversed course and UN General Supported the ceasefire movement in the Assembly.
But Trudeau’s government has faced persistent calls to do more, including the transfer of military equipment to Israel amid fears they could be used in rights abuses against Palestinians in Gaza.
In a statement Sunday, the prime minister wished Muslim Canadians a happy Ramadan, acknowledging that the holy month comes at a “particularly difficult time” because of the situation in Gaza.
Canadian Council of Imams board member Abd al-Fattah Towkal urged the group that signed the Ramadan letter that Muslim Canadians want concrete action. “We don’t want tokenism. We don’t
want empty words,” he told media.
