Syrians prepare for hardest Eid al-Adha in decades

CAIRO -- Living conditions in Syria, declining for more than a decade and exacerbated by the Ukraine war, have cast a long shadow over the preparations for Eid al-Adha, which falls on July 9, Syrians told Al-Mashareq.

Eid al-Adha will be one of the most difficult holidays the Syrian people have experienced in many years, they said, as energy prices, food prices and taxes have skyrocketed, while clothing prices have risen by up to 50%.

"The situation in Syria during the Eid al-Adha period, especially in the areas under the regime's control, is the worst in decades," said Syrian economist Mahmoud Mustafa, who lectures at the University of Damascus.

Residents cannot afford to buy the most basic necessities, he said, and merchants are not able to withstand the lack of sales activity, which can be at least partially attributed to the high prices of new merchandise.

The market stagnation inevitably will have negative repercussions on the economy, which is in a state of collapse already, Mustafa said.

Most of the merchants are waiting for the holidays to revitalise their trade, "which will not happen this year", he added.

The root cause of the economic malaise is the Syrian regime's heavy reliance on Russia and Iran to obtain funding, assistance and credit lines, he explained, which has been totally disrupted by the Ukrainian crisis.

"Russia is unable to bear any additional costs, and has directed all its resources and funds towards supporting and continuing the war," he said.

Iran, meanwhile, is suffering under the pressures of international sanctions imposed because of the continued development of its nuclear programme and its continued interference in the affairs of countries in the region.

"Global markets are experiencing stagnation due to the situation in Ukraine and directing all of their capabilities towards securing the necessary foodstuffs," Mustafa said.

"But the Syrian regime is currently unable even to secure the basic necessities."

Constrained circumstances

"The joy of Eid is totally absent," said Mohammed al-Habbal, who is now self-employed. "I am in no way able to host the annual Eid feast or buy new clothes, toys and gifts for my sons and their cousins."

Al-Habbal is the eldest son in his family, and it was customary, after his father's death, for the family to gather at his house on the first day of Eid.

"Everyone relieved me of this awkward duty this year, on account of the existing situation, and we all agreed that we would offer a token amount of juice and homemade sweets, instead of the usual feast," he said.

Al-Habbal said he bought his three children used clothing this year, which his wife washed and mended, so they would feel they had something new to wear for the holiday.

He also contacted Dar al-Iftaa al-Islamiya, which distributes aid during the holidays, to obtain food, money or gifts for his children.

"But the shocking answer was that there will be almost no distribution of [meat] this year, as government institutions cannot cover the cost because of the large budget deficits they are facing, and neither can independent charities," he said.

The latter stems from the almost total cutoff of funding by companies and figures who used to support these charitable initiatives, al-Habbal said.

This is "an unusual situation resulting from the general economic conditions that everyone without exception is facing", he said.

Rising cost of living

The festive atmosphere is also missing in the streets and marketplaces in the days leading up to Eid al-Adha, Syrians said.

"Buying and selling activity has come to a complete stop," said Abdul Hamid al-Sabbagh, who owns a Damascus clothing store.

The market stagnation has reached the point "that if a clothing merchant sells one or two pieces, he sees it as a significant achievement that distinguishes him from other merchants", he said.

The price of a single item of children's clothing ranges from 35,000 SYP ($1.40) for very modest-quality goods, up to 200,000 SYP ($80) for a complete set, al-Sabbagh said.

In the past, he said, this amount would have been enough to buy top-quality clothes for two or three children.

The rise in prices can probably be attributed to the surge in the cost of manufacturing, due to the rise in the prices of petroleum products and raw materials, he said, especially those of imported dyes and accessories.