Ayman Shallah, a 49-year-old resident of Shujaiya in Gaza City, faced an unprecedented Eid al-Adha this year, amidst the rubble of his home destroyed by Israeli bombings. Eid al-Adha, celebrated by Muslims around the world as a time for community, gratitude, and sacrifice, took on a somber tone in 2024 for Shallah and many in Gaza. Traditionally, this holiday involves family gatherings, prayers, and the slaughter of animals to share food with those in need. However, this year, the challenges were overwhelming due to the ongoing conflict.
Shallah, who used to enjoy gathering with relatives and celebrating with traditional meals, found himself displaced alongside his parents and brother. With his home destroyed in a preceding attack, the Eid prayer was held in a temporary shelter. This year, he expressed profound sorrow, labeling it “the worst Eid of my life” as he struggled for basic necessities and faced the painful absence of his wife, who did not survive the violence.
Meanwhile, others like Muhammad al-Ghoz, 29, also experienced an altered Eid. Living in a tent in Deir al-Balah after being displaced, al-Ghoz was forced to reflect on how much had changed. Like Shallah, he undertook the ritual of sacrifice this year, yet the act felt hollow without the resources to celebrate in the way he once did, as flour and meat prices soared beyond reach.
In stark contrast, Muhammad Obaid, 27, who had relocated to Germany, found his heart still tethered to Gaza. Participating in local festivities abroad, he was reminded of the lost traditions and the struggles of his family back home who faced the dire effects of the ongoing conflict. His attempts to connect with family were often interrupted by communications blackouts, emphasizing the sense of isolation felt by many.
Both Shallah and al-Ghoz highlighted the grim reality of life during Eid amid ongoing humanitarian crises, marked by scarcity of basic food items and rampant inflation prices. As they came together to pray, they clung to hopes for peace and better days ahead, emphasizing the resilience of the human spirit in times of adversity.
Despite the grim circumstances surrounding this year’s celebrations, communities within Gaza continue to show resilience, sharing what little they have. This spirit of solidarity is a testament to their enduring culture and faith in a future that, hopefully, will come with peace and prosperity.