Dr. Ahmed Al-Mandhari, Director of the World Health Organization for the Eastern Mediterranean, said that almost two billion Muslims in the Eastern Mediterranean region and around the world are celebrating the blessed Eid al-Fitr, which is the third Eid. The fitr that we have been celebrating since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic as our daily life continues. This is an unprecedented public health emergency and, unfortunately, some of us will be celebrating this year without family members or loved ones, and I would like to extend our deepest condolences to those who have suffered an unimaginable loss.
The WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean said:
As we celebrate Eid al-Fitr this year, may the feeling of happiness, hope, compassion and unity that comes with this occasion continue beyond Eid al-Adha until it becomes a part of our daily lives, and sadness and loss give way to recovery and hope for everything everywhere. It is not enough to wish for a better world free of Covid-19. The measures we take will determine our situation at this time next year. Achieving this is up to all of us, as reflected in our regional vision for Health for All and for All.
And Al-Mandhari continued: “More than two years after the start of the pandemic, we cannot allow the current situation to become a fait accompli, or allow ourselves to succumb to inaction. The current generations deserve to live in a better world where the virus is contained and enjoy life to the fullest extent possible; Future generations also deserve to be armed with the knowledge and tools to prevent future pandemics that could cause extreme fear, grief and severe disruption to livelihoods and economies.
He added: “Furthermore, many of us are feeling tired and looking forward to living in a world where face masks, physical distancing, school closures and travel restrictions are no longer the norm, but our personal comfort should not put others at a loss. “. risk of severe symptoms of illness or death.” For COVID-19 to become part of our daily lives, this does not mean that we must succumb to the virus and lower our guard.”
