Muslims around the world celebrated the Eid al-Adha, known as the Feast of Sacrifice, on Thursday. Eid al-Adha, which commemorates Prophet Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God.
Not so long ago, Eid al-Adha was a time of festivity for Syrian refugees too. Like other Muslims around the world, Syrian refugees looked forward for the fun family get-togethers, delicious barbecues and special sweets.
However, hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees are spending Eid al-Adha away from home, with grief of losing dear ones and struggling to get shelter. For some, this will have been the second or third Eid spent away from home and family
Many Syrian refugees have marked the holiday on their way to Europe or in refugee camps on the continent. According to United Nations refugee agency 40 percent of the 490,000 refugees and migrants that have arrived in Europe so far this year are Syrian.
“We forgot what Eid feels like. I haven’t celebrated Eid for years now. It doesn’t matter anymore,” said a refugee by the name Abu Nessrine.
“The whole world is treating us like animals. We are Syrians. Syria used to be a very proud nation once upon a time”, the refugee added.
Many rother performed Eid al-Adha prayers in the town of Edrine, Turkey, as they waited for the borders to open so that they could continue their journey to Western Europe. Some spent yet another night travelling on the eve of one of the most important Islamic holidays.