STORY: Syrian refugees in Lebanon celebrate Eid al-Adha with bitterness of displacement
SHOOTING TIME: June 17, 2024
DATELINE: June 18, 2024
LENGTH: 00:05:01
LOCATION: Beirut
CATEGORY: CULTURE

SHOTLIST:
1. various of Syrian refugees gathering for Eid al-Adha
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): ABOU BADWI, Syrian refugee
3. various of Syrian refugee camp
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): MAHMOUD IBRAHIM, Syrian refugee
5. various of children gathering to receive candies
6. various of Syrian refugees women washing their laundry
7. various of Syrian refugee camp

STORYLINE:   

Muslims across the world have embraced the Eid al-Adha, or the Feast of Sacrifice.

Traditionally, the feast is an occasion for families to gather together. 

However, the Syrian refugees in Lebanon have to celebrate the festival with bitterness as they are far from their loved ones and homeland.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): ABOU BADWI, Syrian refugee
"This Eid is not what we used to celebrate. We used to bid farewell to the pilgrims who visit Mecca and this year we did not. The relatives and friends we used to gather with for Eid are displaced. What I can say is that we are celebrating Eid with difficulties. We did not offer the usual sacrifice. We are distracted and displaced in too many regions. Some relatives are in Syria, others are in Jordan and others in Lebanon and Türkiye. Eid is celebrated with family and relatives and that is the meaning of it, but that's what we are missing. It is the 13th year now that we are not celebrating Eid."

SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): MAHMOUD IBRAHIM, Syrian refugee
"This Eid is very difficult on us. We are living in tents while we had our homes. We are not comfortable under the tents in the summer or during the winter. It is a must for us to enjoy Eid because we are Muslims. We have no future here in the camp, our hope is in our country, and hopefully, we will return home and everybody will be safe, and the situation will be solved."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Beirut.
(XHTV)