Syrian Kurds struggle to celebrate Eid since Syrian crisis

QAMISHLO, Syrian Kurdistan (Kurdistan 24) – Muslims in northern Syria celebrate the Eid al-Adha holiday on Friday, one of the two most important festivals of the Islamic calendar.

On a tour on Thursday in Syria’s northeast pre-dominantly Kurdish city of Qamishlo, many told a Kurdistan24 correspondent that Eid for this year lacks joy.

People in the city said they could not celebrate Eid like they used to, before the Syrian crisis, as most of their families and relatives are now refugees living abroad.

“Eid is not that pleasant as it was, and our hearts are broken,” said Nisreen Shekho, a Syrian Kurdish woman from Qamishlo.

“I wish all refugees eventually come back to their country and to their families,” she said.

“No matter how long they stay abroad, they will return one day, and here is the best place for them,” Shekho said.

High prices are also affecting families, due to the reduced business flow in the city, and have people lamenting the state of affairs.

Traders say the exchange rate and transportation costs have led to a rise in prices.

“Before the crisis, a salary of 15.000 SL [about $300] was enough to sustain people, but now it is impossible [salaries are about $30 following the crisis],” Ziyad Omar, a trader from Qamishlo, said.

“Now those with low salaries will spend it in the market buying the most bare necessities,” he said.

Muslims around the world in general, and in Rojava in particular, celebrate Eid by buying sweets and new clothes for children.

Although the markets in Qamishlo city have suffered this year, people still go shopping and prepare for Eid.

Despite the crisis and high prices, some people say they should as a collective overcome the situation and celebrate Eid.

Editing by G.H. Renaud

(Additional reporting by Lava Asaad from Qamishlo)