ALEPPO, Syria — Hussam Massoud went shopping with his wife and two children in al-Sukkari neighborhood, alongside thousands of other locals who had taken to the streets on the eve of Eid al-Adha to buy new clothes and sweets. Al-Monitor spoke to Massoud about the festive spirit while his wife and children were inside a store. He said, “It is our holiday, and we will celebrate it no matter how bad the circumstances are.”

Eid al-Adha is one of two major Muslim holidays. It falls on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah (12th and last month) in the Islamic calendar and lasts for four days. People visit each other during the holiday and distribute meat from sacrificial animals — such as sheep and cows — to relatives, neighbors and the poor. Eid al-Adha is a happy occasion to spend quality time with relatives. Yet for Syrians, the war continues to wreak havoc.

In this regard, Massoud said, “The ongoing shelling by the regime [forces] of Aleppo is causing constant stress. But I am not going to miss the opportunity of bringing joy to my children and family. We are going to celebrate Eid al-Adha no matter what.”

The voices of the vendors rise in al-Sukkari neighborhood, as each tries to attract customers. While families rush to buy clothes and sweets, they greet each other on the occasion of Eid al-Adha. The smiles on the faces of those in the market make one forget about the Syrians' suffering over the last four years.