March 2024 - (Involuntary) Fasting, Dirty Dozen, Pankaj Mishra
Welcome back to 'Monthly Musings: A Curated Reading List'
“You who believe, fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may be mindful of God.” - Quran 2:183
(Involuntary) Fasting
I eagerly await the month of Ramadan, this year it began on March 11 and ends on April 9. Ramadan being on a lunar calendar basis, shifts about 10-11 days earlier each year, likely beginning on March 1st next year.
Despite the years and the familiarity friends and acquaintances have with my practice of fasting, the question arises time and again, "Not even water?" And the answer remains, resoundingly, yes.
However, my fast—undertaken with the certainty of a meal awaiting at sunset—is a choice. It is not lost on me that the millions across our globe fast not by choice but by the cruel circumstance of poverty. While the world does not suffer from a lack of food, and while those of us in the West navigate an abundance so vast one only needs to wander the aisles of a Costco to witness it, we stand before a glaring truth: we have failed our fellow humans.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “He is not a believer whose stomach is filled while his neighbor goes hungry.”
Gaza
This Ramadan has been emotionally challenging, deeply affected by the knowledge that my government's policies are enabling the suffering in Gaza, where people face starvation. This situation is exacerbated by a media landscape that too often echoes one-sided narratives without sufficient scrutiny and silences dissenting voices, all while Israel steals Palestinian land.
The complicity of both the government and media in these injustices darkens this holy month, urging us to reflect on our responsibility toward seeking justice and truth.
This article debunks The New York Times exposé on sexual violence during the October 7 attacks in Israel and how it has been undermined by a spokesperson for Kibbutz Be’eri, who clarified that two of the three victims singled out by the Times were not subjected to sexual assault, casting doubt on the article’s credibility.
KIBBUTZ BE’ERI REJECTS STORY IN NEW YORK TIMES OCTOBER 7 EXPOSÉ: “THEY WERE NOT SEXUALLY ABUSED” - The Intercept_
This article was a poignant reminder of life's unpredictability. While Gazans were open prison already before October 7th, who would have thought, it could get worse.
‘Practically Fasting for Months’: Gazans Struggle to Celebrate Ramadan - The New York Times
It speaks to profound desperation when one prays for their own demise.
‘People Are Hoping That Israel Nukes Us So We Get Rid of This Pain’ - The New York Times
Two must-watch YouTube videos:
The Chris Hedges Report with Ali Abunimah, founder of The Electronic Intifada, on the Israeli propaganda machine and a compliant press that reports Israeli lies as fact.
Gaza Is a 'Huge Murder': South African Foreign Minister Speaks to Mehdi Hasan
Health
Washing fruits and vegetables thoroughly is becoming more essential for our health and safety.
'Dirty Dozen' Guide Shows 95% of These Fruits and Veggies Tested Positive for Pesticides - Common Dreams
Sleep, the closest thing we have to hitting the "refresh" button on our sanity browser. Essential for keeping those error messages at bay! (yupp, I took help from ChatGPT:-))
Two nights of broken sleep can make people feel years older, finds study - The Guardian
Culture, History, and Politics
If Pankaj Mishra wasn't on your radar before, consider this your introduction. As a distinguished Indian essayist and novelist, his work spans insightful essays and compelling narratives. While I've delved into his essays, I've yet to explore his books—a journey I'm eager to embark on, especially with his latest work, "Run and Hide," at the top of my list.
Please watch, read, and listen to his latest writing.
The Shoa after Gaza - Lecture on Youtube, Essay in London Review of Books (LRB), Podcast - LRB
"Gaza has become for countless powerless people the essential condition for political and ethical consciousness in the 21st century.”
Here's a curated list of articles on India and Indians from last month's readings.
Ever more undocumented Indian migrants follow ‘donkey’ route to America - The Washington Post
Citizenship Amendment Act is a blow to Indian constitutional values and international standards - Amnesty International
The Spectacle of the Ambani Wedding Event Reveals India’s Inequality - The New York Times
Uncovering the higher truth of Jay Shetty - The Guardian
Aadujeevitham |The GoatLife Official Trailer - YouTube (the movie I plan to watch, once it is on a streaming platform)
Please feel free to add your favorite readings of the month in the comments so others can benefit as well. Let me know your thoughts including what was interesting/useful for you.