Home / World

UN chief expresses sorrow for Muslims in Gaza, Sudan amid conflict during Eid

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres. (Photo by LUIS TATO / AFP)

By Lucy Mumbi | 10 Apr 2024

Guterres lamented that many Muslims in the regions will not be able to celebrate the occasion fully due to the harsh realities of conflict and hunger.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has conveyed his deep sorrow for the plight of Muslims in regions afflicted by conflict and hunger, such as Gaza and Sudan.

While conveying his Eid-ul-Fitr message to Muslims globally, Guterres lamented that many Muslims in the regions will not be able to celebrate the occasion fully due to the harsh realities of conflict and hunger.

Keep reading

“This is the day in which every year, I express to the Muslim community all over the world, my wishes of Eid-Mubarak. But my heart is broken to know that in Gaza, Sudan and so many other places because of conflict and hunger, so many Muslims will not be able to celebrate Eid properly,” he said.

In Sudan, clashes between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have led to a devastating toll since April last year.

The United Nations reports a staggering death toll of over 13,000 people, with more than 8 million displaced. Additionally, half of Sudan's population, totalling 25 million people, is in dire need of humanitarian assistance.

Every year, I express my best wishes for #EidAlFitr to the Muslim community around the world.

My heart is broken knowing that in Gaza, Sudan and many other places - because of conflict and hunger - so many Muslims will not be able to celebrate properly. pic.twitter.com/1Z3rWIbhdN
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) April 9, 2024

Meanwhile, in Gaza, the aftermath of the war has left much of its infrastructure in ruins, forcing 1.9 million residents into displacement and exposing them to the looming threats of disease and famine.

While Muslims in Gaza are doing what they can to follow Eid-ul-Fitr traditions, the war looms large making the celebrations difficult.

"No joy"

Speaking to Al Jazeera, a shopkeeper in Rafah lamented the lack of joy and enthusiasm for celebrating the holy occasion, describing the season as the worst they've ever experienced.

“There is no joy or appetite for celebrating the holy occasions. Even children have no interest in toys as they did in the past. This is the worst season we have ever lived,” he said.

Echoing his sentiments another individual added, “We are suffering on all fronts. People can hardly survive. They can hardly feed their families. We no longer think of Eid or celebration or any other form of joy.”

On Wednesday, thousands of Muslims performed Eid al-Fitr prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque occupied East Jerusalem.

The prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque this year were relatively subdued amid Israel’s war on Gaza and Israeli soldiers checking the IDs of worshippers.

The UN chief reiterated that the situation in both regions has remained critical, highlighting the urgent need for international attention and support to alleviate the suffering of those affected by ongoing conflicts.