Thousands of Christian pilgrims gathered at Jerusalem's Mount of Olives to celebrate Palm Sunday, despite the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. The event, which marks the start of Holy Week, saw attendees waving branches and fronds in the air. The war's impact on tourism was evident, but pilgrims expressed a sense of peace amidst the tension. The celebration comes amid a surge in conflict across the region, with the Israel-Hamas war causing a downturn in tourism and affecting the lives of many in the area.
Evangelical Christians, strong supporters of Israel, are visiting as war-time volunteers, believing in Israel's role in an end-times prophecy. Organized trips include volunteering aspects connected to the war in Gaza, with around one-third to half of the expected 3,000 daily visitors in March being part of faith-based volunteer trips. These volunteers aim to boost morale and provide support to Israelis during the ongoing conflict, with some participating in initiatives such as preparing meals for soldiers and helping farmers harvest crops.
Muslims in the U.S. are preparing for a more somber Ramadan due to the Israel-Hamas war, with many feeling unable to truly celebrate as the conflict has deeply affected their communities. The war has made fasting and charity more difficult, and has led to a sense of guilt and sorrow as they witness the suffering of their loved ones in Gaza, where food is difficult to come by and the death toll continues to rise. Despite this, some are still finding ways to uphold the pillars of Ramadan and express solidarity with their families and friends in Gaza.
More than 30 years after the demolition of a 400-year-old mosque, a new temple dedicated to Lord Ram is set to open in Ayodhya, India, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, sparking controversy in the secular country. The event is seen as a move to appeal to India's Hindu majority, but it evokes fear and painful memories for the Muslim community. The construction of the temple has a divisive history, with the site being handed over to Hindus by a Supreme Court judgment in 2019, despite the court also finding the mosque's demolition to be illegal. The inauguration of the temple is expected to draw people from across India, while concerns linger about potential tensions and the impact on the Muslim community.
