Doha: The editorials of Qatari newspapers today underscored the arrival of Ramadan, a month usually marked by joy throughout the Islamic world, as it coincides with the ongoing struggles of several nations, particularly in Palestine and Sudan.
According to Qatar News Agency, the newspapers detailed the severe hardships faced by the people of Gaza, who are experiencing a significant shortage of food and drinking water. The healthcare sector in Gaza is reportedly on the brink of collapse due to a lack of medicines and medical equipment, compounded by extensive damage to the infrastructure in the region, marking it as a disaster-stricken area in urgent need of international intervention.
The editorials also highlighted the dire situation in Sudan, where the ongoing war has set the country back by decades. This conflict has resulted in the largest wave of displacement and a severe humanitarian crisis, threatening the nation’s unity and sovereignty. Despite numerous calls for peace, led by Qatar, the prospects for a comprehensive dialogue to restore security and stability remain elusive.
Al Watan newspaper emphasized that Ramadan, usually a time of joy and spirituality, has become a period of hunger and loss for Palestinians. Many have been forced to live in tents lacking basic necessities after their homes were destroyed. The newspaper reported that approximately 1.5 million out of Gaza’s 2.4 million residents face forced displacement due to widespread destruction and acts of genocide.
Furthermore, Al Watan pointed out that the destruction in Gaza is a testament to the ongoing genocide targeting Palestinians, affecting their homes, mosques, and schools. Despite immense suffering, survivors strive to hold onto Ramadan traditions with the limited resources available to them. The newspaper noted that the situation in Gaza and the occupied West Bank is echoed in Sudan, where the war has inflicted immense suffering and displaced millions.
On a similar note, Al Sharq newspaper highlighted the challenges faced by the Arab and Islamic world as Ramadan commences, particularly the developments in the occupied Palestinian territories and ongoing conspiracies against the Palestinian cause. The newspaper suggested that Ramadan could serve as an opportunity for leaders and scholars of the Muslim world to unite in addressing these challenges through noble initiatives, emphasizing the importance of unity in confronting common adversities.
Al Sharq concluded by urging the prioritization of unity over division, reconciliation over conflict, and diligent efforts to prevent bloodshed, defend holy sites, and uphold the rights of the nation and its people.