Because it is Christmas, let us hope for an end to violence and uncertainty in our world

A picture is worth a thousand words goes the saying, and the video showing the reaction of an Australian Muslim citizen of Syrian origin wrestling a terrorist and taking his gun has dominated the reporting last week of the heinous terrorist attack on the Jewish community in Bondi Beach in Australia.

That basic human instinct and reaction should be applauded and should remind us all at Christmas of the good in the world that ought to be exploited to overcome all the adversities of war, conflicts, and dispossession that plagued 2025. Maybe then, 2026 will witness less cruelty and more human decency with less violence, and more acts of courage and empathy to save our world and common destiny as humans.

2025 could have been a special year, with a new president in the US bent on securing peace in the world and putting an end to violence and uncertainty. But despite all the good intentions and efforts to broker deals artfully, the world is likely to wake up in 2026 with more than eight conflicts still raging from Gaza to Sudan, Ukraine to Congo and maybe between Thailand and Cambodia, and not to mention, Venezuela.

Yet, one should not expect presidents and leaders to have magic wands; each individual is also an actor who holds a lot of power to help reduce tensions and break the cycle of violence.

The unarmed Australian 43-year-old shop owner Ahmed Al-Ahmed, a father of two at Bondi Beach, spurred by his strong feelings about what is right and wrong, became the accidental hero as he was filmed wrestling one of the gunman’s weapons away, saving the lives of an unknown number of people as a result. Al-Ahmed was later shot five times in the arms and shoulders, but he survived, unlike others who tried and failed, and paid with their lives, like Boris and Sofia Gurman, who were in their 60s and made a move to wrench the gun from one of the attackers. But the Gurmans were not lucky and the attacker had a second gun and used it to shoot them both dead.

Over the several dinners and family reunion events that many of us will take part in, it is easy to skirt the subject of the uncertainties around us and to be in denial and prevent ourselves from discussing the fears now dominating our everyday lives. It is maybe easier also to shut out the cruelties surrounding us and focus on the positives, an exercise millions say is becoming more and more difficult as we live in a connected global village where the smallest of events east, west, south or north impact us wherever we are. But I am one who believes that the end-of-year festivities and celebrating them despite all adversities is, in itself, an act of defiance and an exercise of hope to realign our values and ethos to that which is human, shutting out the evil and chaos that have been marking our existence, in an effort to transcend the common good.

Maybe it is naive, but because it is Christmas, let us all unite and hope for an end to violence and the acts that fueled uncertainty and suffering in 2025

Mohamed Chebaro

Yes, many are likely to disagree with me, and the reasons are clear.

For Europe, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine for the past four years continues to dim down the lights of hope, despite the early solidarity shown by fellow Europeans to stand firm with the Ukrainian people, and to uphold the rules-based humanitarian law that governed the Western world for the best part of 80 years, albeit not perfectly. Staying alive in Ukraine is an act of hope in and of itself despite the indefinite rounds of bombardment and drones, and missile attacks that light the skies of many cities every night.

Not far in the Middle East, Palestinians in Gaza are trampling over the rubble to return to their destroyed homes in a fragile peace. They are taking part in an act of hope after two years of relentless Israeli bombardment as a punishment for all, following the horrific Oct. 7 attacks committed by Hamas. To build a tent, or to find a dry patch of land to sleep on is a heroic act after standing witness to the death of more than 70,000 Palestinians and the obliteration of their homes in the densely populated Gaza Strip.

The people of Sudan are another victim of an absurd and avoidable war that keeps going, despite their story often being a forgotten one. Yes, one ought to empathize with the Sudanese civilians caught between warring parties and paying the price for hegemonic ambitions and greed in the race for resources and riches, without any accounting for human dignity and safety.

The list could be longer if we talk about Lebanon or Iraq and their stalled efforts to break away from Iran’s years’ long subjugation, or the Syrian state that is trying to rise from the rubble of a 14-year war for simply daring to rise against Bashar Assad’s rule.

Maybe it is naive, but because it is Christmas, let us all unite and hope for an end to violence and the acts that fueled uncertainty and suffering in 2025, however hard that might be, and try instead to search and celebrate the many successes and positive stories that always get squeezed into the obscure corners of human history.

The acts of bravery and compassion, like those who acted to defend life on Bondi Beach, or the Ukrainians, or the Palestinians who hold onto life against all the odds, ought to give us the strength to stand up to all types of injustices, and the determination to demand an end to wars and bloodshed all around the world.

• Mohamed Chebaro is a British-Lebanese journalist with more than 25 years’ experience covering war, terrorism, defense, current affairs and diplomacy