Amid concerns of recent Turkish threats, people of Kobani celebrate Eid al-Adha
Kobani – North-Press Agency
Fattah Issa / Jihad Nabo
Eid al-Adha atmosphere this year in the city of Kobani , northern Syria, was affected by the recent Turkish threats to invade the region, while the rise in the prices of sacrificial animals has generally caused the reluctance of some people to buy the sacrificial sheep this year, while the rise of the dollar exchange rate against the Syrian Lira has also contributed to the rise of the prices of Eid needs.
Al-Tilal Street (one of the most famous markets in Kobani) has witnessed a low turnout by the residents, to buy clothes and Eid materials, compared to the previous Eid Al-Fitr, about two months ago.
Mustafa Bozan, an owner of a clothing and shoes shop in Al-Tilal Street, told North-Press that buying and selling in the market has considerably decreased compared to Eid Al-Fitr, pointing out that the market movement was affected by the recent Turkish threats against the region.
Moreover, Bozan added that the rise of the dollar exchange rate against the Syrian Lira, from 500 to more than 600 per dollar, has affected negatively the movement of buying and selling, especially as most of the goods come from Turkey, and are imported in dollars.
The drop in purchases by residents has in turn affected negatively the shop owners, according to Bozan.
“Last Eid, I sold about 110 pieces of clothing every single day, while currently I barely sell about 70 pieces per day,” he said.
Turkish threats
For her part, Media Mustafa said that the atmosphere of the Last Eid was way better than the current one, because of the Turkish threats against the region some days ago, which had a negative impact on the citizens’ psychology and their preparations for the feast.
While Delyar Mustafa, said that the movement of people in the markets, on the past Eid, was more, and prices were cheaper, pointing out that the Turkish threats with the advent of Eid led to psychological pressure on citizens who are reluctant to buy the needs of Eid.
High livestock prices (sacrificial animals)
For his part, Fadel Tammo said that the prices of livestock have risen more than doubled compared to last Eid, which led to weak purchasing process, pointing out that the price of the sacrificial animals that was sold in last Eid for 50,000 SYP has risen to 130,000 SYP, “Because of the smuggling of livestock to the Kurdistan region of Iraq.”
“Turkish threats have negatively affected the people’s preparations for Eid, while the Eid atmosphere in Kobani has returned to normal after the Turkish-US agreement on the safe zone, but last year’s atmosphere was generally better,” Tammo added.