Thousands of Syrians marked the beginning of Eid al-Adha on Wednesday with prayers, family gatherings and travel across the country, as authorities highlighted efforts to maintain security and facilitate movement during one of the busiest holiday periods of the year.
At the Jdeidet Yabous border crossing with Lebanon, large numbers of travelers entered Syria on the first day of Eid to reunite with relatives and spend the holiday with their families. The General Authority for Land and Sea Ports said the crossing operated around the clock during the Eid period to accommodate increased traffic and reduce congestion.
According to the authority, staff from the General Authority for Ports and Customs continued working throughout the holiday to expedite procedures and regulate arrivals and departures. Officials described the crossing as operating under a “service-oriented and organizational atmosphere” aimed at ensuring smooth movement for travelers.
Jdeidet Yabous remains one of the main border crossings between Syria and Lebanon and traditionally witnesses heightened activity during religious holidays, particularly as expatriates and Syrians living abroad return home for celebrations.
Worshippers Gather Across Syria
Across Syria, worshipers gathered early Wednesday in mosques, public squares and stadiums to perform Eid al-Adha prayers amid festive scenes marked by festive gatherings and communal celebrations.
In Damascus, crowds filled the courtyards of the Umayyad Mosque as Eid prayers began. Similar scenes unfolded in Aleppo, Homs, Deir Ezzor and Quneitra, where thousands attended prayers in major mosques and public venues. In Homs, prayers took place at the Khalid bin al-Walid Mosque, while in Deir Ezzor worshipers gathered at the municipal stadium for the holiday prayers.
Authorities also deployed internal security forces near mosques and gathering sites in several governorates, including Latakia, Idlib and Quneitra. The Ministry of Interior said the measures aimed to organize traffic and provide a safe environment for worshipers during Eid celebrations.
National Unity Center in Eid Sermon
Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa performed Eid prayers at the Abdullah bin Abbas Mosque in Aleppo alongside senior officials, religious figures and local dignitaries in what marked his first Eid prayer outside Damascus since assuming office.
Among those attending were Aleppo Governor Azzam al-Gharib, Damascus Governor Maher al-Idlibi, Minister of Local Administration and Environment Muhammad Anjarani and Minister of Economy and Industry Muhammad Nidal al-Shaar.
Sheikh Mutie al-Batin delivered the Eid sermon, focusing on Syria’s diversity and the rejection of sectarianism. He also emphasized Aleppo’s historical and cultural significance while praising what he described as the leadership’s “willingness to listen to criticism” and “engage with both supporters and opposition.”
Sharaa’s appearance in Aleppo carried symbolic significance given the city’s political and economic importance and the damage it endured during years of conflict. Ahead of Eid, Sharaa issued a congratulatory message to Syrians and Muslim pilgrims, expressing hope the holiday would bring “growth and stability” to Syria and prosperity to Arab and Islamic nations.
The president also said earlier this week that the government would continue developing wage and salary reforms to improve living conditions for workers and retirees. He announced over 861,000 employees had benefited from increases in vital sectors under decrees issued earlier this year.
