Credit: (SSG/Social Media)
Despite being ravaged by over 13 years of ongoing conflict, the people of Idlib in northern Syria marked the first day of Eid al-Adha with a sense of unity and hope. This significant Islamic holiday, known as the Festival of Sacrifice, commemorates the prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God. For many in Idlib, however, the celebrations are bittersweet, marked by displacement and separation from their homes and families.
The city of Idlib witnessed a large gathering at the Idlib City Stadium where the Eid sermon resonated with messages of faith and resilience. The preacher addressed the crowd, stating, “God promised and gave victory to His servant and honored His soldiers and defeated the groups alone, nothing before Him and nothing after Him, there is no god but God, there is no god but God, we are devoted to Him as allies in religion.”
Among the attendees was a fighter from the Fath al-Mubeen Operations Room (FMOR), who expressed a mix of pride and yearning. “Today in Idlib we pray the Eid al-Adha prayer together with our people in the liberated areas and with the heroes in Fath al-Mubeen Operations Room, and we saw scenes that please the hearts, how our people in the liberated areas united with the Mujahideen,” he said. “The Mujahideen came with gifts for the children and presented gifts to our people in the liberated areas, so praise be to God. We ask God to perpetuate the blessing of security and safety upon us and that we return soon to every area occupied by this destructive (Assad) regime, and praise be to God.”
The Syrian Salvation Government’s (SSG) General Directorate of Trade and Supply took part in the holiday by overseeing the ritual slaughter of animals, ensuring the meat was prepared and safe for consumption. A representative remarked, “We examine the sacrifices to ensure that they are healthy and fit for consumption. We say to those who sacrifice, may God accept your sacrifices, and God willing, the sacrificing brothers will not forget the poor from their share, and every worker for them will be well.”
In a gesture of solidarity and care, the Director of Humanitarian Affairs in the Central Region, along with several ministry employees, visited camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the Sheikh Bahr region. They checked on the conditions of the displaced and extended their Eid greetings. The visit demonstrated the ongoing hardships faced by many who have been uprooted by the conflict while highlighting the community’s enduring spirit and their efforts to celebrate this important religious holiday.
For the people of Idlib, Eid al-Adha serves as a reminder of their faith and resilience in the face of adversity. The holiday’s themes of sacrifice and devotion resonate deeply in a region striving for peace and normalcy amid the enduring challenges of war, displacement, and economic hardships.
