Syrians struggle to afford Iftar meals during Ramadan

The first Ramadan for many Syrians, including residents of Damascus, is unfolding amid stark and indescribable living disparities. A small group, whose tables are filled with a variety of rich foods often described by the public as “officials or new arrivals to the capital” contrasts sharply with the vast majority of impoverished citizens who cannot afford the cost of an iftar meal.

According to ANHA correspondents, prices have risen to such an extent that those wishing to simply add flavor to their meals are forced to buy bones stripped of meat for 10,000 Syrian pounds just to enrich their cooking. Meanwhile, markets appear fully stocked with all types of food, sweets, and nuts.

Bakeries are competing to produce Ramadan specialties such as ma’rouk, na‘em, and traditional Ramadan drinks, attracting those who can afford them. A bag of na‘em has reached 25,000 Syrian pounds, while a Ramadan pastry costs 40,000 Syrian pounds figures beyond the reach of many.

In Bab Srijeh market in Damascus, retired former soldier Hussein Ali, who retired in 2013, walks among crowded shops lamenting his inability to shop like others. He told ANHA agency: “What have we done to deserve begging for a bite of food in our old age?”

The sixty-year-old added: “I served in the state army recognized by all countries and retired at the legal age in early 2013. I never carried weapons against anyone, nor did I have any political stance. My job was administrative within military records, with a regular morning shift. By what right was I deprived of my pension, leaving me walking the streets longing for sweets and fruits and unable to buy my chronic medications?”

With tears in his eyes, he continued: “I pray to God to take His trust so I can be relieved from this humiliation. I now live on scraps I receive from my children, even though they themselves struggle to feed their own children.”

He questioned: “Under which law or religion am I deprived of my pension that was deducted from my salary as part of social security? I need to live on it today before tomorrow.” He also called for an end to food waste by a small wealthy group, saying such waste has contributed to rising prices and deepened the suffering of the poor.

In Al-Jazmatiya market in Al-Midan, prices have soared since the beginning of Ramadan. The price of chicken has increased by 10,000 Syrian pounds, lamb by 30,000, oranges by 3,000, dates by 5,000, halva by 5,000, chickpeas by 2,000, parsley bundles by 4,000, and mint bundles by 3,000. Preparing a simple fattoush salad for a small family now costs more than the daily wage of a first-grade university professor.

During the day, inspection patrols affiliated with the interim government circulate through markets. However, trader Khaled criticized their performance, saying: “Due to their lack of experience, they focus on minor details and ignore invoice circulation and pricing. They issue embarrassing media statements one of them claimed chicken prices had decreased, while in reality they have risen.”

The sixty-year-old trader added that officials ignore high costs caused by abrupt transitional government decisions, including increased customs duties, trade restrictions, facilitation of expired Turkish goods entering the market at the expense of Syrian products, rising electricity prices, taxation and collection measures on shops, restrictions on traders displaying goods outside stores, and monitoring through barcode applications that track business information.

This year’s Ramadan market reality reflects a widening living gap: goods are piled on shelves, yet purchasing power among most Syrians continues to decline. Many find themselves unable to secure their basic daily needs amid continuous price increases and shrinking income sources.

ANHA