We are all different. We are all the Same.

As we mark the 162nd day of the ongoing onslaught in Gaza, the heavy weight of sadness has settled over the world, the community around me, and my own shoulders. The barrage of unending horrors, massacre after massacre, and the inaction of our Canadian Prime Minister, along with his Conservative Party counterpart, have led to a profound sense of powerlessness and despair.

We are now in the midst of Ramadan, and I find myself reflecting on its teachings, a period revered in the Muslim faith for its spiritual significance. Ramadan, a time of fasting, reflection, and community, teaches lessons that we can all relate to, regardless of our faith. It’s a time for self-examination, for re-evaluating our place in the world, and for nurturing the bonds that tie us together.

We may feel defeated by the unprecedented destruction and death in Gaza, but the spirit of Ramadan reminds us of the power of acceptance — accepting the things we cannot change while focusing on the aspects of our lives where we can make a difference. It’s a time to find solace in gratitude, acknowledging the good in our lives amidst the turmoil, and to strengthen our connections with those around us.

In our community, even as we feel overwhelmed by the global scale of conflict and suffering, we can lean on each other. Our shared experiences, empathy, and support become the foundation on which we stand united against the darkness of the world. We may not hold the strings of power, but together, we can lift each other up, providing support and understanding.

We can amplify the call for peace and justice. We may not all be decision-makers, but our collective voice can reach those who are, urging them to end this madness.

Jim, my father, whose lessons form the basis of my debut book, was a Druze, but here he is inside Haji Baha’a Mosque in Beirut. Growing up in Lebanon and in the shadow of the civil war, he learned that our strength lies in our collective humanity, our unity, and empathizing with one another.

To all my Muslim friends, Ramadan Kareem.

Thank you for reading.