American Muslims urge Ramadan aid for Gaza facing mass starvation

The approach of the holy month of Ramadan brings a sombre tone for Palestinian American Nadia Duwaik, as she grapples with complex emotions amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict and the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Duwaik, like many others, typically anticipates Ramadan as a time for family rituals and celebration, such as the nightly iftar gatherings.

However, this year's festivities are overshadowed by the tragic aftermath of the October 7 Hamas attack, resulting in over 30,000 casualties and 70,000 injuries in Gaza, said the Ministry of Health, Caliber.Az reports, citing CNN.

As desperation intensifies and Israel's restrictive aid policies exacerbate the dire situation, humanitarian organizations raise alarms about the imminent threat of famine for hundreds of thousands of Palestinians. In response, the European Union and the United States have initiated emergency aid efforts, including an emergency maritime corridor from Cyprus to Gaza and plans to build a temporary port along the Gaza coast.

The recent international push for aid follows a tragic incident where over 100 people were killed during a chaotic episode surrounding food aid distribution. While Israel confirmed firing on the crowd, eyewitnesses and Palestinian officials disputed the circumstances.

Facing acute food insecurity, with child malnutrition rates higher than anywhere else globally, Gaza's population of approximately 2.2 million is in dire need. American Muslims, stirred by the urgency of the situation, are keen on fulfilling zakat, a core tenet of Ramadan involving charitable giving.

Jad Shaheen, a Palestinian American, emphasizes the critical need for assistance, stating, "People need more help than they've needed in the past because the situation is obviously worse – they're being actively starved."

Nadia Duwaik has directed her efforts towards organizations like the Palestinian Children's Relief Fund and the United Nations Agency for Palestine refugees. As her birthday aligns with Ramadan this year, she plans to request donations for relief efforts instead of traditional gifts.

Nonprofit Islamic Relief, which raised over $30 million in online donations during Ramadan in 2023, aims to provide food donations and aid throughout Ramadan in affected regions. With a goal to support 250,000 people, the organization collaborates with local partners for distribution.

Nasma Shehadeh, a Christian from Bethlehem residing in New York, underscores the cross-faith solidarity, contributing to aid agencies like Islamic Relief to support her friends facing Ramadan with scarce supplies.

Human Appeal, providing humanitarian relief in Gaza since 1991, is establishing a mobile kitchen to nourish fasting families during Ramadan. The organization has delivered $1.9 million in medical supplies, medicine, and winter clothes since October 7, 2023.

Despite the generous outpouring of aid, concerns linger about the effectiveness of these efforts. Noor Traina, a 24-year-old from Washington, DC, emphasizes the need for reliable channels to ensure aid reaches those in need.

As negotiations for a ceasefire ahead of Ramadan fell through, American Muslims like Traina express their commitment to pressure lawmakers for action. This Ramadan, beyond fasting and giving, their worship extends to protesting and demanding a ceasefire and humanitarian aid for Palestinians.

"This Ramadan, in addition to fasting and giving, while remembering the starving and wounded families and orphans of Gaza and Palestine, we will be worshipping by protesting and demanding a ceasefire and humanitarian aid for Palestinians," Traina states. "That's what Ramadan is about, but especially this Ramadan."