Viral pictures of Syrian town breaking Ramazan fast with iftar among rubble

Striking images have been shared thousands of times online showing residents in the besieged town of Douma – a suburb of the Syrian capital Damascus – enjoying an iftar feast on a colourful table surrounded by grey destruction and rubble.

Residents of Douma can be seen breaking their fast as a symbol of resilience in the face of death and destruction. PHOTO: TWITTER

According to a report that appeared on The Independent, the outdoor celebration was organised by the Adeleh Foundation, a rebel-affiliated charity group mostly run from Turkey.



Dozens of residents, including many smiling children, can be seen enjoying their iftar meal, eaten after sunset on fasting days of the holy month of Ramazan, which ends this week. Adeleh said it would organise meals up until Eidul Fitr – the holiday which follows Ramazan.

Residents of Douma can be seen breaking their fast as a symbol of resilience in the face of death and destruction. PHOTO: TWITTER

“We would have normally been cautious to host such events due to air strikes, but we are taking advantage of the latest deescalation deal,” an Adelah Spokesperson told the BBC.



An accord declaring the creation of four 'safe zones' across Syria was negotiated by Russia, Iran, and Turkey in May 2017.

Douma has been a major flashpoint for conflict in the six-year-old civil war. It is currently controlled by rebel group Jaish al-Islam and has suffered air strikes since 2012 and a siege by pro-government forces since 2013.

Residents of Douma can be seen breaking their fast as a symbol of resilience in the face of death and destruction. PHOTO: TWITTER

Residents had become used to iftar gatherings taking place out of sight of warplanes in mosques and private homes, rather than out on the street. In May, an aid convoy entered the area – where food and medicine are scarce and prices have skyrocketed – for the first time since October 2016.

The images and video surfaced on June 20. One Syrian medical technologist tweeted, “Life despite death today in Douma.”

#Syria
How amazing, Iftar in Wartorn #Douma pic.twitter.com/i8Hj7CtLTp

— Jammin (@Buzzriet1) June 18, 2017

 

This article originally appeared on The Independent.