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As Kashmir celebrates Eid al-Fitr, the festivities carried a deeper message of solidarity with Palestine. From historic Eidgahs to local mosques, special prayers were offered for the people of Palestine, with Imams urging the global community to stand against oppression. Social media was flooded with Eid greetings mentioning Palestine, while young girls expressed their support through intricate henna designs writing “Palestinian” and featuring “flags”. The celebration became a powerful reminder of Kashmir’s shared pain and unwavering support for those facing injustice. As we bow in gratitude this Eid, let us not forget those whose celebrations are drowned in suffering. The people of Palestine endure unimaginable hardship, yet their faith remains unshaken. It is our duty to stand with them, in our prayers, in our voices, and in our actions. A Imam said in his semon. A unique expression of this solidarity was seen among young Kashmiri girls who, instead of traditional Eid henna designs, inscribed “Palestine” on their hands and drew Palestinian flags. This silent yet powerful gesture symbolized the unwavering bond between the two regions. This Eid doesn’t feel complete when our brothers and sisters in Palestine are suffering. Our prayers, our thoughts, and our voices will always stand with them, Watching little children die every day, their tiny bodies wrapped in shrouds, torn apart by bombs—it scratches the heart, leaving wounds that never heal. How can we celebrate when innocence is being massacred? said Zainab Ahmad, a Srinagar resident. Social media platforms turned into a canvas of resistance, as Kashmiri netizens flooded their timelines with Eid greetings intertwined with messages for Palestine. Almost every post carried hashtags, prayers, and calls for justice, reflecting the deeply ingrained support among Kashmiris for the Palestinian cause. Kashmir and Palestine share a history of struggle. Today, as we celebrate, we also remember those who are struggling for their freedom, The routine disturbing images from Palestine of children orphaned, families torn apart, even there eid celebrations turned into mourning do not let us rejoice the way we used to. How can we celebrate fully when our brothers, sisters, and their little ones are being slaughtered Mohammad Younis, wrote on social media. The Palestinian people have faced relentless violence, displacement, and destruction, particularly in Gaza, where Israel’s military operations have resulted in unprecedented civilian casualties. Since October 2023, Israeli airstrikes and ground assaults have killed over 30,000 Palestinians, the majority being women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. More than 70,000 have been injured, and essential infrastructure—hospitals, schools, and residential buildings—has been reduced to rubble. The United Nations has repeatedly warned that the situation is edging toward genocide, with famine looming as Israel continues to block humanitarian aid. As the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza worsens, Kashmir witnessed a wave of pro-Palestine demonstrations on the last Friday of Ramadan, observed globally as Al-Quds Day. The protests, held across various parts of the region, were meant to express solidarity with the Palestinian people. However, in Kashmir, what began as peaceful demonstrations soon led to legal action, with several protesters reportedly booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Authorities have yet to disclose the number of individuals charged, but the move has sparked concerns over the shrinking space for political expression in the region. Despite global outcry and mass protests, the Israeli bombardment of Gaza persists, marking one of the deadliest and most prolonged assaults in modern history.
