Please pray this week that Khalid experience a special sense of God and of community during Ramadan
Please pray that 9-year-old Khalid and his family might, during this time of Ramadan, have a profound sense of God’s presence with them and God’s love for them. Please pray that God comfort them for all the losses they have experienced since Oct 2023- loss of family members, loss of home, loss of security, loss of peace. Please pray that their experience of family and of community strengthen them. Please pray that Khalid and his siblings and friends find moments of joy in the traditions that they are able to celebrate. Please pray for their hope for the future.
Context: The experience of Ramadan in Gaza this year
The meaning of Ramadan: Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting, communal prayer, reflection, and community. Its purpose is to increase spiritual awareness, self-discipline, and devotion to God. It is the month in which the Quran is believed to have been revealed to the Islamic prophet Muhammad. Some scholars argue that the observance of Ramadan fasting grew out of the Lenten discipline of the early Syrian Churches.
The celebration of Ramadan: Adults place special focus on prayer and on charity. They fast from dawn to sunset. After sunset there is a major meal (iftar). In the Middle East, iftar consists of water, juices, dates, salads and appetizers; one or more main dishes; and rich desserts, with dessert considered the most important aspect of the meal. The whole community breaks the fast together. Family and friends celebrate at each other’s homes.
Rituals Amid the Ruins in Gaza: In Ramadan 2026, over two million Gazans are observing their third consecutive Ramadan amidst severe devastation, displacement, and ongoing, although reduced, violence following the October 2025 ceasefire. Many residents, while attempting to maintain the spiritual traditions of the month, are navigating extreme poverty, loss, and the continued necessity of humanitarian aid to survive. The atmosphere is marked by profound sadness. For most, the month has shifted from a celebration of life to a time of mourning for lost loved ones, with many families facing "empty chairs" at their tables. They rely on handmade decorations from rubble and recycled materials to bring some joy to their children. They rely on food aid for their iftar.
