
Gazans deserve a future free from fear
https://arab.news/8wsw9
As the crescent moon began rising, signaling the arrival of Eid Al-Fitr, millions across the Muslim world prepared to celebrate. At this usually joyful time, streets are adorned with colorful lights, families gather for festive meals and children run through neighborhoods, their laughter echoing through the night. But in Gaza, there is no celebration — only silence, grief and the relentless sound of warplanes overhead. The only lights piercing the darkness are those of explosions, the only gatherings are funerals and the only thing children receive is the unbearable trauma of war.
How can one celebrate when Palestinians in Gaza are burying their loved ones? How can one embrace joy when there is unimaginable grief? The contrast is too painful to ignore. Eid is meant to be a time of reflection, gratitude and renewal of faith. It marks the end of Ramadan, a month of patience, sacrifice and devotion. But for the people of Gaza, fasting was not by choice — it was forced upon them by an unrelenting siege, by bombed-out bakeries, by an economic stranglehold designed to starve them into submission.
For decades, the Palestinian people have endured dispossession, displacement and systematic violence. But what the world is witnessing today is an escalation of brutality that surpasses even the horrors of the past. Hospitals have been turned into graveyards. Entire families have been wiped out. Children who survived one bombing wake up to find themselves orphaned after the next. The land beneath them is scorched, their dreams shattered before they even have the chance to imagine a future.
Yet, despite the scale of the tragedy, the response from much of the world remains woefully inadequate. Statements of outrage flood social media, yet the siege remains unbroken. Protests erupt in capitals across the world, but governments still hesitate to take decisive action.
Diplomatic pressure is no longer enough. Economic sanctions, arms embargoes and political isolation should be on the table.
Hani Hazaimeh
The suffering of Gaza is not an accident of war. It is the result of a deliberate strategy of occupation, blockade and collective punishment. Every airstrike, every demolished building, every restriction on food, water and medical supplies is part of a calculated effort to break the will of an entire people. And yet, despite clear evidence of war crimes, Western powers continue to supply Israel with weapons, diplomatic cover and unwavering political support.
Where is the decisive action that matches the gravity of the moment? Diplomatic pressure is no longer enough. Economic sanctions, arms embargoes and political isolation should be on the table. There must be consequences for a regime that commits war crimes with impunity. If Western powers refuse to act because of their own strategic interests, then it falls upon the Arab and Islamic world to lead the way.
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Arab League and other regional bodies must take coordinated, concrete steps — whether through legal action at the International Criminal Court, the severing of economic and trade relations or the provision of direct and sustained support to the Palestinians. The world must understand that the Palestinian struggle is not just a regional issue — it is a moral and humanitarian crisis that demands global intervention.
While governments and institutions bear the greatest responsibility, individuals cannot afford to be passive observers. Silence is complicity. The power of collective action has already shown its strength. Protests in cities across the world have kept Palestine in the global consciousness. Student movements, labor unions and civil society groups have mobilized in ways that challenge governmental and corporate complicity. The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement has proven that economic pressure works. The fight for Palestinian liberation does not end with a ceasefire — it ends only when occupation, apartheid and oppression are dismantled.
The children of Gaza deserve to live, to laugh and to celebrate, just as every child should. They deserve more than temporary aid; they deserve a future where they are free from fear, where they are not trapped in an open-air prison, where they can dream beyond the next airstrike. Until that day comes, our joy will always be incomplete and our celebrations will carry the weight of their suffering.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Saudi Gazette
16 hours ago
- Saudi Gazette
Adahi Project to process 950,000 heads of sacrificial animals within 84 hours
Saudi Gazette report MINA — Supervisor-General of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Project for Utilization of Hady and Adahi (Adahi) Saad Al-Wabel said that the project aims to process 950,000 heads of sacrificial animals within 84 hours to serve pilgrims so as to ensure the smooth and seamless performance of the ritual. He said that the project carried out 287,067 sacrifices on Eid Al-Adha (Dhu Al-Hijjah 10) and sold over 811,486 heads of livestock. He noted that these figures underscore the significant efforts made by the project's operating entities to facilitate Hajj services and ensure the quality and safety of sacrifices at every stage. Additionally, 19,931 sacrifices were distributed to eligible recipients, fulfilling the humanitarian and social objectives of this important ritual. Al-Wabel said that the operations include the operation of seven complexes, ensuring the provision of high-quality services to the guests of God. He noted the readiness of 25,000 human cadres in various administrative, technical, medical, and engineering specialties, working within a precise and coordinated system to ensure smooth operations, while ensuring the pilgrims' comfort and implementing the best environmental practices. According to Al-Wabel, the project will continue throughout the Days of Tashreeq, in coordination with the relevant authorities, to ensure the timely completion of sacrifices and their proper distribution to eligible recipients. This effort reflects the principle of social solidarity and aims to ensure distributions are conducted efficiently. He noted that the project operates through an integrated system designed to ensure smooth procedures and swift execution, enhancing pilgrims' satisfaction and facilitating the performance of their rituals.


Leaders
2 days ago
- Leaders
Adahi Project: Saudi Arabia's Generosity Reaches Beneficiaries Worldwide
Muslims across the globe are celebrating Eid Al-Adha, one of the two major Islamic feasts. Eid Al-Adha is the culmination of the Hajj journey. It is marked by the ritual of sacrificing an animal, known as Udhhiyah or Hady. The meat of this sacrificial animal is then distributed among family, friends, and people in need, embodying the spirit of community togetherness and charity. In recognition of the centrality of animal sacrifice in Hajj rituals, and as part of its tireless efforts to serve the guests of the Holy Sites, Saudi Arabia has launched several initiatives and projects to facilitate the ritual of sacrifice during Hajj and distribute meat to the needy inside the Kingdom and in other countries. Adahi Project In 1983, Saudi Arabia launched The Kingdom Project for Utilization of Hady & Adahi (Adahi). The Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites has been supervising the project, in collaboration with the relevant government entities, since November 2024. The Adahi project aims to facilitate the performance of Hady, Udhhiyah, Fidyah, Sadaqah and Aqiqah for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims throughout the year. It also seeks to establish strategic partnerships with public, private, and non-profit sectors to ensure that meat reaches eligible beneficiaries locally and globally through regulated and approved distribution. Adahi Seamless Operation The Adahi Project operates through 8 integrated complexes in Makkah, equipped with cutting-edge processing and freezing facilities, with a capacity of handling over 900,000 sacrifices annually. The complexes' operations are supervised by more than 1,000 veterinarians. Five open complexes enable pilgrims to undertake the sacrifice ritual themselves. Meanwhile, in the remaining three closed complexes, a proxy performs the ritual, where the Project executes all ritual operations on their behalf and informs them of the completion of the ritual. The Adahi Project Management tackles the preparation, cleaning, freezing, packaging, and distribution of meat. Meat Distribution Upon the completion of the sacrifice ritual, the Adahi Project distributes the meat to the eligible beneficiaries in the Haram area and other deserving recipients in 27 countries through local and international channels, including Ehsan, Saudi Post, KSrelief, and other humanitarian organizations. These include Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Chad, Comoros, Djibouti, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Guinea Conakry, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Niger, Pakistan, Palestine, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Syria, and Tanzania. The distribution process takes place in cooperation with Saudi Arabia's embassies and authorized government and non-government entities in the beneficiary countries. Record Numbers in 2025 During Hajj 2025, the Adahi Project began its operations for the sacrifice ritual on the Day of Eid, falling on June 6, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA). The project has set a target of sacrificing 950,000 livestock within 84 hours. To this end, it equipped 7 complexes and 25,000 personnel with various administrative, technical, medical, and engineering specialties to provide high-quality services for pilgrims and ensure the application of the best environmental practices. The project has also developed a new model that utilizes proactive planning, institutional integration, and AI-enhanced digital system to boost efficiency and handle more than 1.1 million rituals throughout Eid Al-Adha, adhering to strict health and environmental standards. جهود مستمرة ومتواصلة في مشروع المملكة العربية السعودية للإفادة من الهدي والأضاحي (#أضاحي)، بهدف إيصالها إلى جميع المسلمين المستحقين في مختلف بلدان العالم، وتيسير أداء النُسك على ضيوف الرحمن.#يسر_وطمأنينة#لبيك_والسبل_ميسرة — الهيئة الملكية لمدينة مكة المكرمة والمشاعر المقدسة (@RCMC_KSA) June 6, 2025 As a result of these efforts, the Adahi Project achieved a record performance, with over 27,000 sacrifice rituals in the first hour of the Day of Eid, exceeding last year's hourly average of 18,000. Meanwhile, the total sacrifice rituals during the Day of Eid reached 287,067. KSrelief Contributions In another testament to Saudi Arabia's generosity and humanitarian solidarity, the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) launched its meat distribution project for Eid Al-Adha 2025 in Yemen, Syria, Somalia, and Sudan. In the Yemeni Governorate of Aden, 12,600 individuals benefited from the meat of 900 goat sacrifices. Furthermore, the project will distribute the meat of 500 sacrifices in Al-Mahrah Governorate to benefit 7,000 individuals. The KSrelief meat distribution project aims to reach 58,520 beneficiaries across Yemen's governorates of Aden, Hadhramaut, Al-Mahrah, and Marib. It aligns with KSrelief's humanitarian efforts to alleviate the suffering of the needy and promote social solidarity during Eid Al-Adha. Short link : Post Views: 166


Leaders
2 days ago
- Leaders
Gaza Marks Eid Al-Adha with Looming Famine, Rising Violence
Eid Al-Adha is marked by prayers, joyful celebrations, feasts and charity. However, the people of Gaza are observing Eid amid dire humanitarian conditions and a rise in violence. Eid Al-Adha holiday began with the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) announcing it would temporarily close its doors amid severe food shortages and Israeli military continuing its operation in Gaza, according to Reuters. GHF Operations Paused As Gaza's population is facing severe food shortages that put the Strip on the brink of famine, the GHF said it would suspend its work because overcrowding had made its operations 'unsafe.' On Friday, the GHF sent contradicting messages as it announced the closure of its distribution hubs in southern Gaza. Later, it said it had delivered food, before saying it had shut its doors as a precautionary measure. 'The distribution was conducted peacefully and without incident; however, it was paused due to excessive crowding that made it unsafe to proceed,' the organization said in a statement. Shooting Incidents Several shooting incidents took place in the vicinity of the GHF's operations, where the Israeli military opened fire at Palestinians while they were trying to reach the aid distribution site in southern Gaza. Early Tuesday, June 3, 2025, the Israeli military killed at least 27 people, including two women and three children, and injured others while they were heading to the GHF's aid distribution site. Similarly, on Monday morning, Israeli troops killed three Palestinians and injured dozens while they were on their way to the GHF aid distribution site in Rafah. The Israeli military also killed 31 and injured dozens of Palestinians in the same area on Sunday. According to local health authorities, more than 80 Palestinians had been killed and hundreds injured near aid distribution sites from June 1-3, 2025. GHF Distribution Mechanism The GHF is an Israeli and US-backed organization that aims to set a new mechanism for aid delivery in Gaza. This involves establishing a number of distribution sites in southern and central Gaza, where Palestinian civilians will head once a week to receive one aid package per family. The GHF cooperates with private American contractors to secure aid trucks until their arrival at the distribution sites. However, the organization has faced sharp criticism as the UN and other humanitarian organization refused to cooperate with it, accusing it of serving Israel's military objectives which include displacing Palestinians. Famine Warnings On March 2, 2025, Israel imposed a total blockade on aid entry into Gaza to ramp up pressure on Hamas to release the remaining hostages. Under growing international pressure, Israel in mid-May allowed limited aid delivery to resume under UN supervision. However, UN officials denounced the Israeli restrictions that obstruct the distribution of the much-needed aid and have made the situation in Gaza 'catastrophic.' On Thursday, the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warned that the people of Gaza are expected to experience acute food insecurity by September, with around 500,000 people facing extreme food deprivation, leading to malnutrition and starvation. 'This means the risk of famine is really touching the whole of the Gaza Strip,' the director of the FAO office of emergencies and resilience, Rein Paulson, said in an interview, as quoted by the Associated Press (AP). Israeli Strikes In a separate development, Israeli strikes continued on the Gaza Strip, claiming the lives of 16 Palestinians in northern Gaza, according to local health authorities. The residents of Gaza said they had to hold Eid Al-Adha prayers amid rubble, under the Israeli bombing and shelling. The Israeli military issued new evacuation orders on Friday for areas in and around Gaza City, warning of imminent intensive operations in response to rockets fired at Israel from the area, according to Reuters. Meanwhile, the Israeli military announced that four of its soldiers were killed in a booby-trapped building in Khan Younis, bringing the army death toll to 8 since the start of June. Short link : Post Views: 1