Shafaq News- Erbil/ Al-Sulaymaniyah
Thousands of worshippers marked Eid al-Adha on Wednesday with morning prayers across Erbil and al-Sulaymaniyah, filling mosques and designated prayer areas as the holiday brought together religious observance, family traditions, and public gatherings.
Shafaq News correspondent reported that mosques across Erbil were crowded from early morning, as residents gathered to perform Eid prayers and exchange greetings. Jali Khayat Mosque drew particularly large crowds, with worshippers occupying prayer halls in a calm and devotional atmosphere.
In al-Sulaymaniyah, the Grand Mosque and other prayer sites
also received thousands of worshippers, including residents, visitors, and
displaced families living in the province. Eid takbirs resonnated through neighborhoods,
while local authorities implemented organizational and service measures to
manage crowds and facilitate movement.
Across both cities, residents described Eid as a moment of tradition and reflection, while also pointing to ongoing economic pressures and political tensions in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq. Calls were made for political actors to prioritize dialogue and public welfare.
Speaking to Shafaq News, Dilshad Karim explained that Eid begins with communal prayers followed by family visits and the renewal of kinship ties, traditions that remain firmly rooted despite economic hardship.
He added that families typically meet after prayers around a local “Eid breakfast” featuring rice, meat, dried apricots, and nuts, a customary meal passed down through generations.
Hiwa Othman noted that the holiday atmosphere is shaped by
economic strain and political disputes, urging an end to internal disagreements
that continue to weigh on daily life.
A displaced resident from Saladin, identified as Abu Ahmed and now living in al-Sulaymaniyah, stated that the participation of displaced families in Eid prayers and social visits reflects a strong culture of coexistence in the city, while expressing hope for wider stability across Iraq.
Following prayers, markets in al-Sulaymaniyah saw increased activity, while many families visited cemeteries in the morning to recite prayers for deceased relatives before continuing holiday gatherings.
Read more: Kurdistan Region launches Eid Al-Adha celebrations