As the crescent moon signals the start of the holy month of Ramadan, the Amhara Region Islamic Affairs Higher Council has issued a solemn appeal to the faithful. In a detailed statement released today, Council Chairman Sheikh Said Mohammed urged Muslims across Ethiopia, and particularly within the Amhara region, to transform their month of fasting into a period of intensive prayer for national reconciliation and active humanitarian outreach. The message comes at a critical juncture as Northern Ethiopia continues to grapple with the devastating aftereffects of a conflict that has fundamentally reshaped the social and physical landscape of the region. Sheikh Said’s briefing to the media underscored the staggering scale of the ongoing crisis. He reported that the region is currently hosting hundreds of thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs) who are facing acute shortages of food, water, and medicine. The economic downturn, exacerbated by years of instability, has plunged many families into deep poverty, making the traditional observance of Ramadan particularly difficult this year. "This is not just a month of spiritual reflection, but a month where we must confront the real hunger of our brothers and sisters who have lost their homes and livelihoods," the Sheikh noted. One of the most striking revelations in the Council’s report was the deliberate or collateral destruction of religious and social infrastructure. According to the Chairman, more than 100 mosques have been reduced to rubble or severely damaged during the hostilities. This loss extends far beyond religious practice; it represents the destruction of community centers that historically served as hubs for education, social support, and local governance. Furthermore, the systematic destruction of health facilities and schools has left a vacuum in essential services, making the recovery process even more daunting for the local population. The Council has directed local imams and community leaders to prioritize the needs of the displaced in their sermons and activities. The practice of Zakat—the obligatory giving of a portion of one's wealth to the poor—is being emphasized as a critical tool for survival for those living in temporary displacement camps. Sheikh Said called on the international community and the Ethiopian diaspora to increase their support, noting that the scale of the need far exceeds local capacity. As the holy month progresses, the Amhara Islamic Council remains hopeful that the spirit of Ramadan will foster a sense of unity that transcends political and ethnic divisions. The focus remains on two pillars: spiritual supplication for a lasting peace and practical action to alleviate the suffering of the most vulnerable citizens, ensuring that the message of Ramadan—compassion and resilience—is felt by all.