Newsletter from Gaza - April 2026  

Eid al-Fitr is a religious celebration marking the end of Ramadan. People, especially in the Middle East, North Africa, and Southeast Asia, but also in Europe, North America, and Sub-Saharan Africa, celebrated with family and friends and made donations (Zakat al-Fitr) to express gratitude, care, and kindness.

Now Rouz is a secular holiday and marks the beginning of the Persian New Year. With roots over 3000 years old in ancient Zoroastrianism, it is a celebration of renewal, marking a fresh start, hope for prosperity and the victory of light over (the dark) winter.

Only every 33 years, Now Rouz and Eid fall on the same day. Eid, based on the Lunar calendar, shifts 11 days annually, while Now Rouz, based on the solar calendar, marks the exact moment of the spring equinox (between 20 and 21 March) each year.

While the solar and lunar calendars (finally) aligned this year, the world saw a surge in conflict, especially in the Middle East and North Africa.

It is estimated that over 135 million people were directly affected by conflict on this day, which should have been a day of celebration.

In Iran, 85 million people experienced strikes, blackouts, and destruction; over 5 million Palestinians (In Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem) lived through continuous attacks, over 2 million people of the 6 million total population in Lebanon had to escape from their homes due to war, and Sudan ‘s 45 million people are continuously caught in the crossfire.

Indirectly, millions, if not billions, of the world’s people are being affected by the escalating war, and fear for the loved ones, while worry about a complete collapse of humanity pushed away the depth of the beauty of this very auspicious day- 20th March

In March, we collected 550 USD for Sami and his family.

We supported Eid celebrations, Sami’s studies, and basic survival.

Thank you for your help!

With rising energy costs, economic tensions, and global inflation, it is increasingly difficult to raise the donations needed to support Sami, his family, and his community.

As we help this family and the people they interact with, so are thousands of people globally supporting other families in Gaza; together, we have a huge impact.

Thank you for your support!  

Our donations supported Eid celebrations and Sami’s studies

When living in a tent for over 2.5 years its important to keep up with traditions. 

Not only does it bring joy but it also helps with the resilience needed when there is no end of suffering in sight.

Ma’amoul cookies for all:

Our donations made a lovely contribution to the celebrations and supported the survival of Sami and his family.

As Ramadan came to an end, the family prepared for Eid. I was hugely impressed by Sami’s mother, who led the baking efforts inside the tent! and oversaw the children’s support.

On the menu were ma’amoul, traditional cookies especially for Eid, filled with dates, walnuts or other fillings.

As a trial, Sami’s mother prepared 3 trays of cookie dough, roughly 1 kg and shaped them nicely using a ma’amoul mould that Sami had found at the market, since their original wooden one had been destroyed in their house. For 10 shekels (3.20 USD) per tray, the baker put the cookies into the wood oven.

Once the cookies were ready, the family tasted them, and everyone agreed- they were delicious!

The following was a larger batch of 8 kg of cookies: 4 kg were kept for the close family and for offering to guests during Eid, while the grandparents and the aunt in the neighbouring tent each received 2 kg.

Clothes for the sisters

Traditionally, children receive new clothes for Eid which is an integral part of the festivities.

With our help Sami’s mum was able to make Eid gifts to Alin, Hala and Sirin. For 200 Shekels (about 65 USD) each of the three girls received new clothes. While the clothes were needed, they also look beautifully on the girls, and brought a big smile onto their faces

Eid treats for neighborhood kids

As Eid is centered around the celebration of gratitude at the end of Ramada it is a desire to give to others- especially to children. Also visits to family members and friends are common- and no one wants to show up with empty hands.

Sami bought sweets- chocolate, lollipops, and nuts- and packaged them nicely into small packages. These he handed out to children in the neighbourhood, visitors who came to his tent/home, and to people whom he visited.

Sami, with is 20 years cares deeply for others: “I really love seeing children’s faces smiling; it brings me so much joy.”

Sami’s Studies

Just after Eid, Sami had final exams for his semester, and this came at a high cost – not just in time but also in money.

Sami took 100 USD from our donations and spent it on daily expenses (about 3.50 USD per day), including charging his computer and phone and going to an internet café so he could do his online classes and studies.

Please donate

New barrier: study fees

Until now, the university has given scholarships to the students, and Sami’s study fees have been covered. This has come to an end now- Sami, just like his class mates- need to pay for their studies going forward.

With 2 semesters per year, Sami must register for a minimum of 21 credit hours per term, each costing 27 Jordanian dinars (about 38 USD). This means Sami must pay 800 USD twice per year for his studies. In the past, he took extra courses to make up for lost time due to the war; however, the costs are too high now, and he can't afford them anymore.

We need your support now as much as ever- please support Sami and his family. No matter how big or small a donation, together we make the change! 

Its on us, the people. 

Let's stand up for humanity! Our support and voices save lives.

We are the millions!

And we can make the change. 

This newsletter is published in English and German. Please subscribe to the newsletter, mention the language(s) you would like to receive, or contact Luna at Luna@healingforhumanity.world

luna@healingforhumanity.world

for more information visit our website: healingforhumanity.world