Thoughts and Prayers During Eid Celebrations

Eid ul-Fitr is one of my favorite celebrations in the Muslim calendar. After a month of fasting and spiritual rejuvenation, it gives us the chance to celebrate our growth with our loved ones and friends.

However, this year’s celebrations are mixed with a sense of sorrow from the terrorist attacks that took place across the world as the holy month of Ramadan came to a close. The thought of the senseless bloodshed and suffering caused by the Islamic State continues to weigh heavily upon me.

ISIS has bombed Muslim people, in Muslim communities, during the holy month of Ramadan, in some of Islam’s holiest sites. How can these murderers claim to be Muslims themselves when they commit such acts?

As a Muslim woman, ­I unequivocally condemn these acts of violence. My faith does not condone this kind of senseless violence; Islam is a religion of peace.

My thoughts and prayers are with the victims who lost their lives during Ramadan all over the world, and to the families of the deceased who grieve for their loved ones. My heart breaks when I think of the pain that is being felt due to these senseless acts.

I would like to conclude with a message of hope to my fellow Muslim Canadians. By working together this Eid, we can heal as a community and come out stronger than ever. We can show that our wills cannot be broken by the inhuman acts of the Islamic State.

I wish you all the best this Eid ul-Fitr. I hope that you are all happy and safe in your celebrations.