As Ramadan draws near, many survivors of the Gaza conflict, displaced by Israel’s ongoing military operations, are facing yet another month of reflection and grief far from their families and homes. More than 1,400 Palestinians who were evacuated to Doha, Qatar, in the aftermath of the war now prepare for a somber Ramadan, which they will observe without the warmth and comfort of their loved ones. For these displaced individuals, the holy month—usually a time for family gatherings, prayers, and festive meals—now serves as a painful reminder of the lives they once had, and the deep divisions war has caused in their families.
Among the evacuees is 16-year-old Haya al-Barai, who arrived in Doha in December 2023 after surviving Israeli airstrikes that killed her parents and left her paraplegic. Now, in Qatar, Haya is preparing for another quiet Ramadan, this time with her grandmother, but the joy she once felt during this sacred month has been replaced with grief. Her memories of Ramadan in Gaza, where she would share meals, play games, and celebrate with her parents and siblings, now seem like a distant dream.
“I don’t want to celebrate Ramadan here,” Haya says with sorrow. “I used to enjoy Ramadan with my family. We would eat and play games together. My family was together at that time. Now, I’m just counting the days until I can see them again.”
Sadly, Haya’s experience is not an isolated one. Israel’s war on Gaza, which began in October 2023, has left more than 38,000 Palestinians orphaned, with many survivors scattered across the world, forced to seek refuge in foreign countries like Qatar. Haya’s family has been torn apart; while she now resides in Doha, her siblings are spread out across different countries—one in Türkiye, and the rest still trapped in Gaza, living in constant fear and uncertainty.
For Palestinians displaced by the war, Ramadan has become a time of profound loss and longing. Twelve-year-old Hamsa al-Raqp, who was critically injured in an Israeli airstrike, has lost her left eye and broken her right arm. She vividly remembers the joy she once felt during Ramadan, playing games with her cousins, but now that happiness feels out of reach. Hamsa is just one of the many children who have been affected by the war and its devastating consequences.
Hamsa’s father, Maher al-Raqp, now living in Doha with his family, shared how his family’s Ramadan celebrations have been consumed by grief and worry since the war began. “Last year, as the killing continued, we did not do anything for Ramadan. I watched television all day and worried about my family still in Gaza. I check on them every day just to make sure they are alive,” Maher said. “This year’s Ramadan makes no difference to me, as my wife and my three children remain in Gaza.”
For these families, Ramadan is no longer just a month of spiritual reflection and fasting it has become a time to hold on to whatever hope remains, despite the constant bombardment of heartbreaking news. For Maher, every day is filled with uncertainty as he anxiously waits for updates from his family still trapped in Gaza.
Since the war began, around 1,400 Palestinians have been evacuated to Doha, with nearly 500 of them wounded. These evacuees have found shelter in various compounds, including one in Thumama, located on the southern outskirts of Qatar’s capital. While the people of Doha have extended their support, providing basic necessities and healthcare, the evacuees are left with the gnawing pain of being separated from their loved ones back home.
For the majority of these evacuees, Ramadan is a time filled with mixed emotions. While they try to observe the religious rituals of fasting, prayer, and reflection, their hearts remain heavy with the uncertainty of their family’s fate in Gaza. The people of Qatar have offered a place of refuge, but for the displaced Palestinians, it is difficult to truly feel at peace when their loved ones are still suffering thousands of miles away.
In the weeks leading up to Ramadan, a palpable sense of loss lingers in the air at the refugee compounds. Many of the families are deeply connected to the traditions of Ramadan, which in Gaza were celebrated with large gatherings, sharing meals with family and neighbors, and participating in community prayers. Now, instead of the usual celebratory atmosphere, there is a sense of longing for home and a hope for a future where families can once again reunite.
Despite the overwhelming challenges faced by the evacuees, Ramadan still holds significance as a time of reflection and spiritual growth. For many, it is an opportunity to seek peace, not just for themselves but for the world. Amidst the turmoil of war, the sacred month of Ramadan offers a moment to reflect on the possibility of healing, rebuilding, and the reunification of families torn apart by conflict.
For Haya, Hamsa, Maher, and countless others, this Ramadan will be marked by both sadness and hope. The pain of separation from loved ones remains at the forefront of their minds, but their resilience continues to shine through. As they observe Ramadan in Doha, many of them cling to the hope that one day soon, they will be reunited with their families and that peace will once again return to Gaza.
As Ramadan continues, the international community’s focus on the ongoing Gaza conflict remains critical. The devastation wrought by war has not only displaced thousands but has also caused irreparable damage to families, communities, and the broader fabric of Palestinian society. For the displaced families in Doha, the future remains uncertain, but their strength and resilience serve as a testament to the enduring spirit of the Palestinian people.
For those still in Gaza, the war rages on. Yet, the survivors abroad hold on to a vision of peace, hoping that the future will bring an end to the suffering and a chance for reunion. This Ramadan, as families reflect on the blessings they still have, they also pray for the return of peace, for the safety of their loved ones, and for the opportunity to come together once more.
