The oppression and brutality inflicted on Palestinians in Gaza horrifies us. And in fact, it should be. Everything they have suffered is contrary to human dignity, there is no doubt about it.
But in this very horrific time of genocide and exploitation, where people are brutally tortured and murdered, something else is on full display. It is the resilience and faith of those who refuse to concede.
Not only does their faith in God and conviction in their values remain steadfast, but their dedication and determination are growing. We've seen this many times. It is a testimony that the people of Gaza are reaffirming their love for God and the Prophet Muhammad, and are using their faith as comfort in the most desperate of circumstances.
Of course, Palestinians in Gaza should never be in this position in the first place. They shouldn't have to show such determination and strength. What is needed is to end the war as soon as possible. The international community, especially the United States and Western countries, has much to answer for.
But the people of Gaza are teaching Muslims around the world a valuable lesson. In the face of adversity, the determination of the people of Gaza inspires us not to despair, nor to succumb to pressure to compromise our beliefs and commitment to our faith.
This is a big lesson for many in the United States, where Muslims are also being screened, especially since hate crimes and Islamophobia have increased since the war broke out.
When you turn the pages of their books, you will read something that can only be described as miraculous.
In the face of complete and utter destruction, the Palestinians stood up and said, “Allah is our Lord.” They stand and offer mass funeral prayers. They adhere to Islamic tenets, even if this means performing ritual ablutions using rainwater before praying. They stand up and continue the call to prayer.
These are people who were killed or suffered from the murder of a loved one. Many people are just waiting to die. They don't know what will happen. They are showing us so much as history unfolds before our eyes.
We are seeing from the front lines that Israel's persecution of Gaza residents is wrong. It's brutal. It is inhumane and I must say so. We should talk about it and try to stop it as much as possible. we need to protest. At the very least, we should pray for them.
But we also gain a unique perspective. There are Muslims who are persecuted all over the world.
It is entirely possible to point to hurting Muslims everywhere: in Kashmir, China, Myanmar, Somalia, Yemen, Bosnia. Too often help is not found. But the Palestinians say to their oppressors, “Hey, hit me with all your might. I'll stand in the ring. I won't fall. My faith will grow stronger.”
This is a lesson we need to learn, especially in a place like the United States. Yes, we may experience conflict, be looked at with suspicion, be ridiculed by others, and be insulted. But perhaps we can adopt a different perspective. There are legitimate concerns, but they pale in comparison to the suffering of Palestinians.
Through this huge tragedy, Muslims around the world share the recognition that this is wrong. We are united on this, and we should be grateful for that.
The Quran reminds us of the importance of patience and perseverance in the face of adversity. The people of Gaza embody these virtues and refuse to be broken by the challenges they face.
Their unwavering determination is a testament to the strength of the human spirit. Despite enduring unimaginable suffering, they continue to resist, using their faith as a source of strength and courage.
They refuse to be silent, even in the face of unimaginable hardship. Their unwavering faith is a beacon of hope for Muslims around the world.
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial stance of Al Jazeera.