Chicago – March 10, 2024
Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset throughout the month of Ramadan to focus on their faith and hold family reunions. For many, this year’s celebration is overshadowed by Israel’s war on Gaza.
After officials in Saudi Arabia spotted the moon, many Gulf Arab states, including Iraq, Syria, and Egypt, announced that they would also begin fasting on Monday.
Some Asia-Pacific countries, such as Australia, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore, have said that they will begin Ramadan on Tuesday, failing to view the crescent moon.
Throughout the month, Muslims avoid conflict and instead focus on charitable activities. However, many Muslims are concerned about Israel’s war in the Gaza Strip. There were expectations that Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas could negotiate a cease-fire agreement before Ramadan began.
According to Palestinian health authorities in Gaza, more than 31,000 people have died as a result of Israel’s assault, and aid groups have warned of a potential famine in areas of the Gaza Strip.
Meanwhile, Israeli restrictions on Muslims praying at Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque, Islam’s third holiest site, are certain to exacerbate regional tensions.
