As Eid began, oppression continued.
As festivities commenced, injustice occurred.
And as happiness rose, buildings fell.
In our joyful occasion of Eid Al-Fitr after 30 days of fasting, we usually do not have images of children with bullet holes to the head, people falling one by one as they hold the line to defend their holy place, and pedestrians being flown off their feet as a car rams into them, but this year. This year is different. This Eid is different.
For our non-Muslim readers, we Muslims have just ended our 30 day fasting month of the Islamic Calendar, Ramadan. In this month, we abstain from food or drink, as well as any impure or shameful actions. We strive to become like angels and bring forth a greater manifestation of a direct inner relationship with God.
During the last few days of Ramadan, we have witnessed a great deal of unrest in Palestine, the Holy Land. Whichever faith you belong to, take this article as a token of advice from your Muslim brother. (If you do not know much about the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict, do some research and then come back to this article.)
And last but not least, for my Muslim audience, Allah is my witness. This will be the most critical article I have ever published, so take head, sit down, and focus on each word I manifest by the Qadr of Allah.
As you roam the earth in safety and peace during this modern age of the 21st century, there is still oppression. There is still racism. There is still apartheid.
In all honesty, this will probably be one of the toughest articles I'll ever write. I simply do not know where to begin. The amount of systemic evil which has been portrayed in the so-called "only democracy in the Middle East" is nothing short of appalling. .
As we spend time together with our loved ones in peace and safety, Palestinians are being evicted from their homes, attacked while in their houses of worship, and being shelled day and night, witnessing people fall all around them, waiting for it to be their turn.
Most media outlets call this phenomena "clashes" because Palestinians are retaliating with whatever they can find, mainly small stones on the side of a road. But the media fails to point out that these so-called "clashes" with stones and bare hands are up against modern weapons and a Regime which doesn't discriminate between men, women, and children. All you have to do is look at the countless heartbreaking videos circulating on social media, and you'll see what I mean.
The retaliation we are seeing is an accumulation of built up anger due to constant relentless oppression at the hands of cowards who's only sense of power is by oppressing those weaker than them. That is the Israeli Regime.
As the founder of a motivational platform which reaches people all over the globe, I proclaim that there is no honor in supporting the Israeli Regime. There should be no motivation to support a government which in front of the whole world, commits acts of tyranny and crimes against humanity on a daily basis. Since the year 2000, over 10,000 Palestinian civilians have been killed by the hands of the Israeli Regime.
As people who wish to attain the heights of life and become the best versions of ourselves, we fall down to the depths of moral accountability when supporting Israel. I apologize, but there is no other way I can express this issue.
After what we've seen in Sheikh Jarrah, there should be no discussion. The fact that Israel is so comfortable as it oppresses Palestinians while the whole world watches just shows the absolute lack of humanity the Israeli Regime has.
But throughout all this my dear brothers and sisters, there has been positivity. It's incredible how even in the darkest of events, light can shine forth.
Despite the hundreds of Palestinian casualties the past few days, Palestinians are not refusing to give up. They're up against one of the most powerful military entities in the world, and they still stand strong with a simple rock in their hands.
Reminds me of the Biblical story of Prophet David (Peace be Upon Him) and Goliath.
If there's one positive thing I would like us to take from these recent events, it's the sheer resilience of the Palestinian people.
They aren't willing to lose. They'll either win or die trying. Since 1948, their resilience has only grown stronger.
Their struggle is glorious. There's so much honor in fighting for what you believe in no matter what odds are against you.
For every individual reading this who has an aspiration, no matter how impossible it seems, such as peace in the holy land, never give up on it. No matter how many times you fall, get back up. If your opponents call you stubborn, you're doing the right thing.
No matter what they may do to you, you are strong, and you will pull through.
Just like the Palestinian people, no matter how impossible it seems to obtaining justice, that crazy stubbornness will end up making the impossible, possible. Steve Jobs famously said, "The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do."
So as we continue celebrating Eid, understand that you must never give up on what you believe in. The higher the odds against you, the higher the honor, and the more glorious the struggle.
Through glory, honor, and determination, Palestine will be free.