As the holy month of Ramadan once again comes to Syria, Syrians face the month of fasting and prayer amid a crippling economic crisis that has left millions struggling to afford basic necessities. While markets in cities like Damascus and Aleppo are filled with traditional Ramadan goods, the reality for most Syrians is that poverty and financial instability are dictating how they experience the sacred month.
A Struggle for Essentials
Food items, though available, remain largely out of reach for many families due to high prices and low wages. According to market reports, the price of a kilo of Basmati rice has reached 9,500 Syrian pounds (SYP), while a kilo of sugar costs 7,000 SYP. Dates, a staple for breaking the fast, range from 22,000 to 45,000 SYP per kilo—an unaffordable luxury for the average Syrian household. With an average salary between $40 and $50 per month, the cost of preparing even the simplest of Iftar meals (used for breaking the fast) has become an immense burden.
Conditions are exacerbated by delayed salaries and a lack of job opportunities, pushing many families to ration their food intake. One Syrian economist said, “many Syrians have lost their sources of income due to the closure of businesses and factories,” forcing families to rely on humanitarian aid or purchase only the absolute essentials. More than 90% of Syrian families live below the poverty line, while at least 13 million people suffer from food insecurity.
Ramadan in a Time of Crisis
Despite financial hardships, Syrians continue to uphold Ramadan traditions as best they can. Many prefer to shop at street stalls, which offer slightly lower prices than regular stores, and merchants have been attempting to attract customers by offering discounts. Muwaffaq al-Mawsili, a shop owner in Damascus, noted that while he had introduced special Ramadan offers, demand remained low due to a widespread lack of cash.
Some families have turned to alternative methods to cope with rising costs. Many are cutting back on their daily consumption, while others rely on community support and local markets offering discounted or subsidized food. The International Committee of the Red Cross stressed the importance of continued humanitarian assistance, stating that millions of Syrians remain dependent on aid to survive.
Despite the ongoing hardships, Ramadan remains a time of hope for Syrians. President Ahmad al-Sharaa, in his Ramadan address, called on citizens to use the holy month as a period of unity and renewal. “This is an opportunity for all of us to build the Syria we dream of, a Syria in which freedom and dignity are a right for all its people,” he said.
For many Syrians, however, economic realities make it difficult to embrace the spirit of the season. While the fall of the previous regime has ushered in newfound freedom, poverty remains an enduring struggle—one that shapes how Ramadan is experienced across the country.
