Eid in shadow of war: Joy, grief, and unyielding faith

As Muslims around the globe welcome Eid al-Fitr with prayers, family gatherings, and age-old traditions, the festivities are marred by grief in Palestine, resilience in Syria, and displacements

Muslim Network TV Desk

As the crescent moon signalled the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, Muslims across the globe began celebrating Eid al-Fitr—a day of joy, reflection, and reunion.

From bustling capitals in Southeast Asia to shattered neighbourhoods in Gaza, the mood is mixed. While many communities rejoice in traditional feasts, prayers, and reunions, others, particularly in Palestine and Syria, are commemorating Eid with heavy hearts and somber prayers.

The global Muslim community is experiencing an Eid unlike any other—one that both celebrates life and mourns its tragic loss.

What is Eid al-Fitr?

Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar during which devout Muslims fast from dawn to sunset. More than just abstaining from food and drink, Ramadan is a time of heightened spiritual awareness, acts of charity, and deepened communal bonds.

Eid celebrates the completion of this sacred period with congregational prayers, festive meals, the wearing of new clothes, and the exchanging of gifts and greetings.

The Arabic phrase Eid Mubarak, meaning “Blessed Festival,” resounds in mosques and markets alike. Muslims worldwide greet each other with warm embraces, express gratitude for their blessings, and turn their attention to the less fortunate by giving sadaqa al-fitr—a charitable donation mandatory before the Eid prayer.

Despite regional variations, the core essence of Eid al-Fitr—joy, reflection, and community—is celebrated with similar fervour across the Muslim world.

As the sun sets on the final day of the holy month of Ramadan the people of Turkiye started to celebrate what they call Ramazan Bayramı. It is a three day holiday that marks the end of month long fasting and contemplation – the end of Ramadan. The city transport on these three days is free for commutators.

In Indonesia, the country with the largest Muslim population in the world, Eid is synonymous with mudik—an annual homecoming tradition that sees millions of people travel from cities like Jakarta back to their hometowns.

On March 28, bus terminals such as Kalideres in Jakarta were teeming with travellers carrying gifts and baskets of traditional sweets as they began the long journey home. Airports, train stations, and highways were packed as entire families sought to reunite with relatives.

Markets overflowed with customers buying festive clothes and accessories, especially in the days leading up to Eid. Shoppers combed through rows of baju koko shirts and elegant hijabs. In homes, preparations were underway for traditional dishes like ketupat—rice cakes wrapped in woven palm leaves—and opor ayam, a creamy chicken curry.

In Malaysia, similar homecoming rituals known as balik kampung see urban dwellers returning to their family homes. Eid morning begins with special prayers at the mosque, followed by visits to loved ones’ graves and large family feasts.

An “open house” culture encourages neighbours and friends of all faiths to visit and enjoy delicacies such as rendang and lemang. Children receive money in green envelopes from elders, much like the red packets of Lunar New Year.

In Iraq, shoppers filled Baghdad’s iconic Shorjah market ahead of Eid, purchasing new outfits and household items. Families looked forward to gathering for hearty meals and exchanging eidiya—cash gifts traditionally given to children.

In Egypt, streets and mosques came alive with prayers as residents visited relatives or travelled to the Mediterranean coast for short getaways.

Making or buying Eid cookies is another cherished tradition in Egypt. These buttery treats, dusted with powdered sugar and often filled with dates or nuts, are prepared in large batches and shared with neighbours.

In the United States, Eid is celebrated by a racially and ethnically diverse Muslim community. Eid prayer services are held in mosques, parks, and large rented halls.

Community fairs follow, with food stalls, games for children, and cultural performances. Many cities see parades and carnivals as Muslims share their faith with neighbours of other religions and backgrounds.

Yet, this year’s celebrations in the U.S. come amid renewed concerns over civil rights. Several Palestinian supporters linked to American universities have reportedly been detained under the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement policies, casting a cloud over the otherwise vibrant celebrations.

In Australia, Muslim leaders issued heartfelt Eid greetings and urged worshippers to remember those suffering in Palestine.

The Grand Mufti of Australia, Dr Ibrahim Abu Mohamad, called for increased charitable efforts and global awareness of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Palestine: Eid of survival and sorrow

Nowhere is the contrast to festive cheer more striking than in Palestine. In both Gaza and the occupied West Bank, this Eid is a poignant reminder of loss, endurance, and the indomitable human spirit.

In Gaza, this is the second Eid al-Fitr since the Israeli aggression launched in October 2023.

Since then, over 50,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. Most of the casualties are women and children.

More than 70% of homes have been destroyed. The healthcare system has collapsed, hospitals lie in ruins, and humanitarian supplies are choked at the borders.

Gaza’s residents entered Ramadan under an uneasy truce, only to be thrust back into unimaginable violence. Eid prayers this year are held amid crumbled mosques and the sounds of Israeli drones overhead.

The destruction is so widespread that families celebrate amid the rubble, sharing whatever food they could find and mourning those they had lost.

Children—many of whom have been orphaned—are awaking not to gifts and sweets but to the grim reality of missing parents and destroyed homes.

With more than half the population on the brink of starvation and essentials like sugar, flour, and water in scarce supply, this Eid was a test of endurance rather than a celebration.

Yet the people of Gaza remain defiant. Community leaders are leading prayers in the ruins, asserting their identity and humanity in the face of war.

Musicians trying to lift spirits with traditional songs. Acts of resilience—like children smiling through hardship or families sharing meals with neighbours—offered glimmers of hope.

In the West Bank, violence by Israeli settlers added to the community’s grief. Many West Bank residents are spending Eid fearing raids, settler attacks, or arbitrary detentions.

Despite all, Palestinians across Gaza and the West Bank are holding fast to their traditions—cooking, praying, and supporting each other, proving that the essence of Eid cannot be bombed out of existence.

In Syria, Eid al-Fitr arrives during a period of dramatic political change. This marks the first Eid since the ouster of Bashar al-Assad, ending over 50 years of autocratic rule by the Assad family.

While parts of the country celebrates with newfound optimism, the transition has been marred by ongoing violence, revenge killings, and political instability.

Many Syrians remain displaced, living in camps or exile. For them, Eid brings a complex mix of relief, sorrow, and uncertainty. Though hopeful for a better future, they are acutely aware that rebuilding their nation will be a long and difficult process.

Global Muslim tapestry

In every corner of the Muslim world, Eid al-Fitr 2025 has revealed the diversity, resilience, and interconnectedness of the ummah—the global Muslim community.

In Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur, the joy is palpable. In Baghdad and Cairo, tradition holds strong. In Damascus, fragile hope flickers. In Gaza and the West Bank, the sacred holiday becomes an act of resistance. In cities across Europe, North America, and Australia, Muslims gather in unity, reflecting on both their blessings and their responsibilities.

This year, Eid has served not just as a celebration, but as a moment of reckoning—forcing the world to look beyond festivities and confront the suffering that still plagues so many.

It reminds us that the values of empathy, compassion, and solidarity must transcend borders, and that the spirit of Eid is not just in our prayers or feasts, but in how we respond to injustice and suffering.

As Muslims around the world return from Eid prayers and gatherings, the hope is that their joy will one day be shared by all—especially those still praying beneath drones, sheltering under tarps, or yearning for justice.

Until then, Eid al-Fitr remains both a celebration and a call to conscience.