As the global Muslim community observes Eid-al-Fitr today, 20th March, 2026, we bid farewell to the blessed month of Ramadan, which is dedicated to fasting, prayers and almsgiving. Ramadan is a month that brought humanity closer to Almighty Allah and uplifted one’s spirituality; a month that unites the Muslims all over the world in fasting and prayers; a month that made our hearts tender towards our fellow human beings; a month of forgiveness; a month that reminds us of those less fortunate than ourselves; a month of sober reflection.
During this occasion, the New African Charter International (NACI) sends, every year, a message to the global Muslim community as they observe the month of Ramadan and Eid-al-Fitr, the feast that concludes the Holy Month of Fasting. This year’s message comes in the midst of the escalating cycle of war and violence engulfing the Middle East, and this robs the occasion of Eid al fitr of the fanfare it deserves.
With reports of the violence getting out of control, no country in the Middle east is spared from the debilitating impacts of the military campaign. Every person in that region is vulnerable to attacks, pains, suffering and all are facing destruction, instability, and humanitarian catastrophe. There are reports also of deaths of innocent lives, including women, school children and elderly people and American service members also. It comes without saying that the unprovoked military campaign spearheaded by the United States and Israel against the Islamic Republic of Iran has placed every neighbouring country on the edge.
While global focus is now shifted on the daily escalation of the war against Iran, unfortunately, Israel continues to intensify its operations in the Palestinian occupied lands and territories in Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon. Israeli brutal occupation of Palestine must end now, if the Middle east is to become a zone of peace.
Ramadan teaches us to be humble, simple and free from ill-will, anger, meanness and hate. In the spirit of Ramadan, NACI prays that the message of this auspicious occasion gets into the hearts of humanity, to embrace, accommodate and treat each other with respect, dignity, love and care. We sincerely pray that Allah (SWT) will accept our worship, our prayers, and our fasting and shower us with His peace, mercy, and blessings on this occasion.
In Africa, Eid-al-Fitr is celebrated as a day of merriment and thanksgiving marked by gatherings with friends and family, preparing food and snacks, sweet delicacies, wearing new clothes, exchanging gifts and putting up lights. Islam is so important in Africa so much that the occasion of Eid-al-Fitr motivates African youths to live a moral life in all aspects-health, spiritual and behaviours.
On this occasion, NACI wants to extend its solidarity to the people of the Middle east, who throughout the Holy Month of Ramadan have been pounded with bombs, missiles and cluster munitions. To say that Africa loves Muslims and respects their peaceful religion is obvious. Eid-al-Fitr remains in Africa an occasion of acceptance and self-realization to tolerance and putting all differences aside and hugging each other with open hearts and broad minds and saying Eid Mubarak.
This occasion provides the opportunity to reiterate our strong condemnation and denunciation of the on-going unprovoked military campaign and aggression war against the Islamic Republic of Iran. If anything, NACI is of the view that only a peaceful resolution can end the animosity between the United States-Israel and the Islamic Republic of Iran. We hold this belief to be true evidence that the Holy Month of Ramadan defies violence; and spilling of innocent blood is ungodly and a sinful act.
The plain truth is that the war in the Middle east has forced Muslims in that region to miss this year’s Eid-al-Fitr. The crisis has become a proxy aggression that seeks to promote Prime Minister Netanyahu’s designs and tastes in the Middle east and Africa. We want all those behind this war of attrition to understand that God is the best in conduct and One Who knows and is Aware of everything one does on this earth. It is deeply regrettable that Israel has succeeded in misleading US President Donald Trump to fight a war for Netanyahu’s territorial ambition.
Furthermore, NACI condemns in the strongest terms possible the unstopped attacks against the Gulf Arab States of Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, which are carried out by the Islamic Republic of Iran. Though Teheran claims its attacks are retaliation and are directed at US foreign military bases in that region, NACI is of the opinion that the Gulf States must not be made to suffer for Benjamin Netanyahu’s sins against humanity.
NACI is also concerned by incidents impacting civilian locations, including airports and oil facilities in the Gulf region, which constitutes a clear violation of international law and the Geneva Conventions. NACI is breathless for the fact that these Iranian attacks are being carried out even without any retaliation from the targeted Arab Gulf States.
We are concerned that the unprovoked war against Iran, initiated by the United States and Israel may escalate the situation in the Middle east. NACI strongly condemned these attacks, including those on a girls’ school that resulted in the deaths of 180 schoolgirls in Tehran, as well as the continued attacks on hospitals and oil facilities that have caused widespread damage across the Islamic Republic of Iran. The military campaign against Iran undermines prospects for any peace deal, and the NACI calls for an immediate ceasefire by all parties.
In Africa, the crisis in the Middle east has created nightmares and anxiety amongst ordinary people. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has on his desk, the destruction of the African continent, which will follow after completion of the on-going military campaign against the Islamic Republic of Iran. This is the Israeli agenda, which has already received the attention of the Trump administration in Washington. This development is worrisome to all concerned Africans, whether living in Africa or abroad
Eid-al-Fitr demands renewed commitment to creating a conducive environment of peace and faith, of tranquillity, non-violence, and security. Only with this can we hope to find solidarity and to create cooperation by supporting one another, standing by one another in what is good and right and needed for success, growth, and sustainability.
At this blessed moment, NACI reiterates the threats posed by the Trump administration in Washington towards Cuba, and we call on the US President to abandon his thirst for the blood of the Cuban people. For peace to reign in the Caribbean, NACI wants to thank all those good countries that have moral conscience to demand the immediate and unconditional release of Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, who were kidnapped and held hostage in the United States.
Islam is a peaceful and respectful religion, and those who practice terrorism do so in clear deviation from the teachings of religions as well as a clear violation of international law. While appreciating the efforts done by the international community to end Israeli occupation of Arab lands and territories, NACI calls for actualisation of the two-state solution to ensure lasting peace and stability in the Middle east.
As we join hands around the world to celebrate this auspicious occasion, we are reminded of the profound acknowledgement that humankind is the same species, and we must all dwell together for peace, progress and prosperity. Eid-al-Fitr is also important to remind ourselves and to teach our children the values of peace, patience, love and compassion. It is the time to remember Africa and lend a helping hand to change the current narratives in the continent.
With renewed esteem and fraternal greetings, we wish all Muslims around the world a blessed and joyous Eid. On this occasion, let us make a pledge to establish Brotherhood, Harmony and Peace and let Progress together to make a peaceful, stronger, better and prosperous humanity.
Eid Mubarak and May Allah’s blessings be with all!
Signed: Alimamy Bakarr Sankoh
President and Co-founder.
The New African Charter International
NACI