By Basim Elkarra
As Muslims around the world prepare to observe Eid al-Adha — one of Islam’s holiest days — we are called to reflect on the deeper meaning of this sacred occasion: the willingness to give up what is precious for something greater. The Prophet Ibrahim’s (Abraham’s) devotion to God, and his readiness to sacrifice what he loved most, reminds us that true faith demands more than words. It demands action, courage, and sacrifice.
This message could not be more urgent today.
From Palestine to Sudan, from the Uyghur camps in China to communities right here in the United States, people are suffering under the weight of occupation, genocide, war, displacement, and authoritarianism. And increasingly, those who dare to speak out — students, journalists, human rights defenders — are being silenced, censored, and criminalized.
In our own country, we are witnessing a steady erosion of civil liberties. People are being fired, doxxed, arrested, or surveilled simply for protesting, for calling for a ceasefire, or for demanding equal rights for Palestinians. Muslim and allied communities across the U.S. are facing a new wave of political repression — from discriminatory legislation to campus crackdowns, from mass deportations to the rollback of critical protections for immigrants and people of color.
These challenges demand more than solidarity. They require sacrifice — of comfort, of convenience, of silence.
If we want a future where dignity, justice, and freedom are real for all people — not just the privileged — we must be willing to give something of ourselves. That could mean sacrificing social status to speak truth to power. It could mean sacrificing our time, energy, or resources to support movements for justice. It could mean standing up for the voiceless when it’s not easy or safe.
At CAIR Action, we believe that real sacrifice is a form of devotion — to truth, to justice, and to one another. It reminds us that none of us are free until all of us are free. We’ve seen this truth in the global outcry for Gaza, in multifaith coalitions opposing mass surveillance and border violence, and in the thousands of young people risking their futures to demand a better world.
This Eid al-Adha, let us honor the spirit of Prophet Ibrahim — not just in words, but in action. Let us bring the sacred lesson of sacrifice into our daily lives, our politics, and our commitments to one another.
Let us sacrifice silence for truth.
Let us sacrifice comfort for courage.
Let us sacrifice despair for action.
Let us sacrifice for each other — until all are free.
Eid Mubarak.
CAIR Action is a 501(c)4 organization. Our mission is to engage, educate, and mobilize Muslim voters, train emerging leaders, and champion policy priorities that enhance the well-being and representation of Muslim communities. Through our work, we aim to foster a more equitable and inclusive democratic society where the rights and voices of Muslims are acknowledged and respected.
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CONTACT:
Basim Elkarra, Executive Director, CAIR Action, belkarra@cairaction.org
CAIR Action Communications, media@cairaction.org
