A Somber Reflection on Current Global Crisis to Mark the Celebration of Eid-ul-Adha

Photo Source: usa4thofjuly

As today marks the holy feast of Eid-ul-Adha (the feast of sacrifice), we take a moment to reflect on the sufferings of millions of innocent people the world over. From Banjul to Jeddah, we join the rest of the Ummah to pray for the unfortunate sons and daughters of this universe who are, at this point in time enduring difficulties in their lives. We especially remember and pray for those Muslims who do not have the luxury of celebrating this year’s Eid in peace due to endless and senseless conflicts going on in their backyards.

Syria in particular have endured a brutal civil war for the best part of five years now. Most of this country’s citizen unfortunately haven’t had the chance to peacefully celebrate Eid since 2011. Some family members have been forced apart making the situation all the more traumatic. Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, Palestine, Yemen, Nigeria, Somalia, Sudan - just to name a few, have all had their fair share of conflicts over the years prompting massive exodus of people.

Syrian refugees. Source: cbc

Globally, the amount of people escaping war or fleeing persecution have risen sharply over the last couple of years with Europe, mainly Italy and Greece, feeling overwhelmed with the number of refugees arriving on their shores. According to the IOM, 291,175 migrants and refugees entered Europe by sea in 2016 through 7 September. In 2016 almost all migrant and refugee landings in the Mediterranean have been to Greece and Italy.

Although the total number of arrivals so far this year (291,175) are almost 60,000 less than the same period last year (350,504 up to 30 August), mainly due to the sharp drop in arrivals to Greece since earlier in the year, the number of deaths is higher compared to last year. Through 7 September, the estimated 3,198 Mediterranean deaths are over 630 more than the 2,656 recorded between 1 January and 31 August 2015. This indicates that while total arrivals are now lower than they were at this time last year, the number of reported deaths is significantly higher.

South Sudanese refugees. Source: CCTV-Africa

Meanwhile, IMO also reported that fighting between armed groups across parts of South Sudan continues to drive displacement, including in areas that had been relatively stable since the crisis broke out in December 2013. The dynamic nature of the conflict has resulted in the constant movement of civilians as they attempt to escape shifting locations of insecurity. More than 1.6 million people are internally displaced across South Sudan, in addition to 786,000 people who have fled to neighbouring countries since December 2013. More than half of the country (6.1 million people) are in need of relief aid.

These figures are indeed staggering and people of all faiths and non-faiths alike must take a somber moment to seriously reflect on them. I know most of us (ordinary people) cannot in anyway offer any meaningful solution to the problems, but we are certainly enjoin by our moral obligations to continue to pray and empathise with all those affected by all the selfish and mad-made atrocities threatening the existence of our universe.