Dubai: Palestinians and Syrians living in the UAE say enjoying Eid celebrations this year is going to be difficult, with all the death and turmoil going on in their home countries.
As the death toll reaches around 1,000 in Gaza in the last 20 days and 170,000 in Syria’s three-year-war, Palestinian and Syrian residents who spoke to Gulf News said the images of dead bodies, mostly of innocent children, women and elderly civilians, are imprinted in their brain.
They all also agreed that these images are going to be on their mind and in their prayers this Eid, while some even said that celebrating Eid this year, while their loved ones are under attack, is not an option.
“We will not celebrate this Eid,” said Noor Shaath, a Palestinian from Gaza, who lives in Abu Dhabi.
Noor, whose family lives in Gaza, said she does not think she can celebrate Eid while her people in her hometown are dying.
She said being away from harm’s way, let alone celebrating Eid while her family is back home, makes her feel guilty.
“It is very hard to sit and watch lives being torn apart by explosions, families being wiped out, schools, mosques and hospitals being hit. What is happening is not fair,” she said.
Areej K., a Palestinian, also from Gaza, said she too feels a sense of helplessness watching what is going on in her country.
“There is an inevitable helplessness about celebrating Eid while our land is under attack. Even if Eid is here, we are not really celebrating as much as we are in support of our families in Gaza,” said Areej.
Areej said the rate at which people are dying is astonishing and causing the Palestinians far away from Palestine to simply offer heartfelt prayers.
Nahel Selo, a Syrian resident, said remembering how Syria was before the war and seeing all the destruction happening now, is difficult.
“It hurts. I remember what an amazing time we used to have in Syria during Eid, and now knowing that we aren’t able to do that any more.”
Selo has an aunt and cousins who are still living in Syria, while a total of almost 80 family members — cousins, aunts and uncles — have left Syria.
When electricity is available, Selo uses Skype to check on them. When there is no means of communication he usually waits and prays that they are alright.
“I used to feel guilty. That does not mean that I have become immune to what is happening, but not a single day passes without me thinking about Syria, if anything I think I can give myself a day or two of happiness.”
Salem Salahi, another Syrian, said his heart and soul during Eid will be with both the Syrians and Palestinians affected by the war.
“We are all humans, regardless of the country, in the end we all deserve to be treated equally. What’s happening in Syria and Gaza isn’t a humanitarian act and we remember all our brothers and sisters in our prayers.”
Doaa Shashaa, a Palestinian resident from Gaza, said she will be celebrating Eid.
“What is happening in Gaza will not only make us sad in Eid. We will always remember it and remember how they suffered in the month of Ramadan. So it’s not that if we celebrate Eid that we will forget what’s happening there. They are our families. I will also not lie to you and tell you that I will stay at home, Of course I will go out to visit relatives and go out with friends, it is our god-given day and meeting family and friends is part of Eid.”
Doaa, who has family living in Gaza, said celebrating Eid does not mean she is being insensitive, adding that even the people in Gaza are preparing to celebrate Eid.
“We should not let anyone or anything stop us from celebrating this god-given day. I don’t feel guilty celebrating Eid. I feel guilty not being able to do something to help them and feeling hopeless and helpless.”
