Palestinian Americans in the Greater Houston area have been mourning for Gaza as Ramadan comes to an end. Ramadan is usually a joyous and festive time for Muslims, but this year, it has been somber for many Palestinian Americans. Wafa Tayim, a Palestinian American, expressed that although Ramadan is like a big party for her community, it felt different this year. The heavy hearts and somber mood stem from the knowledge that people in Gaza are breaking their fast on non-potable water and living in dire conditions.
Hibba Hanaif, another Palestinian American, shared the same heartbreak and pain during Ramadan. Since the Hamas attack in Israel, Gaza has faced devastating retaliation, resulting in a death toll of over 33,000 people. Images and videos from the wartorn area depict survivors struggling to find even basic necessities such as food, water, shelter, and medical supplies. Hanaif mentioned that every time she feels hungry or thirsty, she is reminded of the suffering of the people in Gaza. They have to live each day not knowing what will happen next, without their families around them.
Adding to the grief and sorrow felt by Palestinian Americans like Hanaif is the rise in hate crimes. The Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) reported a 56% increase in Islamophobic incidents in 2023, the highest ever recorded in the organization’s history. This safety concern affects Hanaif and her loved ones.
However, despite these conflicting emotions, Hanaif believes it is crucial to celebrate and proudly represent her culture. She expressed her pride in being Palestinian and emphasized the resilience and gratitude of Palestinians, even in the face of adversity. Tayim echoes this sentiment and hopes that by sharing their stories during Arab American Heritage Month, they can combat stigmas, misinformation, and hate towards their communities.
Tayim emphasizes that Arab Americans are just like any other Americans. They have the same desires, bleed the same, and share similar values. By recognizing these similarities, she believes that people can move beyond differences and foster unity.
In conclusion, Palestinian Americans in the Greater Houston area have experienced a somber Ramadan as they mourn for Gaza. The dire situation in Gaza, coupled with the rise in hate crimes against the Muslim community, has cast a shadow over the usually joyous holiday. However, Palestinian Americans like Wafa Tayim and Hibba Hanaif remain proud of their culture and hope to combat stereotypes and hatred through sharing their stories. They believe that by highlighting the similarities between Arab Americans and other Americans, unity can be achieved.
