June, 2024
Sondos Al Sad
“He is not a believer whose stomach is filled while his neighbor goes hungry”
Prophet Muhammad PBUH
In our world of abundance and scarcity, who would have thought that food could be a double-edged sword sharply injuring our moral existence? On edge is weaponizing food as a means of control and coercion, and the silent yet equally damaging food waste and hate on the other. Both practices reveal deep-seated issues in our global systems and call for urgent introspection and action.
Weaponizing food is not new, yet it should not ever be normalized or acceptable.
We are witnessing atrocious war crimes recruiting siege tactics by cutting off food supplies to starving populations in Gaza, Sudan, and Congo. Even in so-called “modern countries”, food embargoes and sanctions are employed as political strategies; undermining the autonomy and dignity of entire populations. This practice exploits the basic human need for sustenance and cuts deep into its soul with longstanding trauma to heal through generations to follow. It is cruel that the blessing meant to provide life and hope can be twisted into a means of control.
When our way of life lost touch with morality, our relationship with food became a battle between waste and restriction.
On the flip side, the dysfunctional relationship with food and its waste is an equally devastating ailment. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), approximately one-third of all food produced for human consumption is wasted annually. This wastage occurs at every stage of the food supply chain, from production to consumption.
In developed countries, food waste often happens at the consumer level. Perfectly edible food is discarded due to aesthetic standards or simply because it is surplus to requirements. In developing countries, the lack of adequate storage and transportation infrastructure leads to significant losses. The environmental impact of this waste is profound, contributing to unnecessary greenhouse gas emissions and the depletion of resources used in food production.
On our screen today, we see the contrasting imagery of both children starved to death in Gaza and The Food Waste Story.
As individuals, we must influence these issues through our choices and actions. By being mindful of our consumption, fighting radical regimes and oppression, advocating for food justice, and supporting initiatives that promote food security and reduce waste, we can contribute to global healing and a sustainable world.
Use every platform you have efficiently, we are meant to develop humans not grow bellies and power!
