Martyrs and Mothers
A Call for Justice This Mother’s Day
“Mother’s Day stands for the Prohibition of Violence Against Women.”
On this day, Speak Up, Silent No More calls upon the global community to advocate for vulnerable Palestinian and Lebanese women and children who are enduring oppression and genocide under the occupying Zionist regime, while the world’s nations remain silent.
The mothers of martyrs from the resistance movements take pride in the sacrifices of their sons and reaffirm their unwavering commitment to the struggle for freedom and resistance against occupation. Palestinian and Lebanese women embody extraordinary courage and resilience. Yet, their lives are too often defined by three painful roles: the wife of a martyr, the mother of a martyr, or the wife of a missing son.
On May 11, while the nation of the United States celebrates Mother’s Day—a day marked by high church attendance and projected spending of $34.1 billion—many mothers across the world cannot celebrate in the same way. In places like Palestine, Lebanon, Yemen, Syria, and Iraq, the very essence of motherhood is under attack. These women have not only lost their children to war, occupation, and tyranny—they themselves have been tortured, raped, and murdered. They are martyred mothers.
Is the martyrdom of mothers something to celebrate on Mother’s Day? Or should it move us to speak out—every day—against the injustices faced by mothers and their families around the world?
Numerous reports by the United Nations and human rights organizations have found that approximately 70% of those killed by Israel in Gaza are mothers and children. Over 9,000 mothers have lost their lives, with many still buried beneath the rubble. On average, 63 mothers are killed each day in Gaza.
An estimated 60,000 pregnant women in Gaza are suffering from malnutrition and dehydration due to the ongoing blockade and conflict. According to UNRWA, around 95% of pregnant and breastfeeding women in northern Gaza experience severe food insecurity. Nearly nine in ten report having greater difficulty accessing food compared to men.
Despite these conditions, mothers in Gaza continue to display immense courage. They endure appalling circumstances, often giving birth in inhumane, unsafe, and degrading conditions. Their resilience is a testament to the strength of motherhood under unimaginable duress.
This Mother’s Day, let us remember and honour these fearless mothers—those who, like Hazrat Zainab (as), the sister of Imam Husain, raised their voices against injustice and oppression.
Oh God, teach us to cherish the sacred gift of motherhood and to value the compassion, strength, and nurturing spirit You have placed in mothers' hearts. Thank You for the immeasurable love that radiates from them—a light that shines even in the darkest places on earth. Help us to recognise this love, to be inspired by it, and to fulfil Your commandment to honour our fathers and mothers.
Some Points Sourced from : Mohammed Khaku from Speak up! Silent No More!