Frugal fare for Ramadan in Damascus as war saps spending

Abu Anas al-Hijazi scanned the stalls in the Syrian capital's Bab Srija market but bought nothing. For the cash-strapped 45-year-old wedding singer, this Ramadan is a frugal one.

"We used to lay out a large spread and invite relatives and friends for a feast around six or seven times at least" during the Muslim holy month, he told AFP.

"But now, I invite them once or twice at most." Throughout Ramadan, Muslims abstain from eating and drinking during daylight hours and sit down to a feast -- known as iftar -- once the sun goes down.

But for many in Syria, where eight years of war have devastated the economy and unemployment is rife, sumptuous Ramadan feasts are no longer an option.

"We have swapped meat for chicken this year, and we have started to offer small meals, rather than large spreads," said the performer who earns less during Ramadan -- an unpopular month for weddings.

"Nothing is the same."
Demand had not kept up, he said. "People don't have enough money to buy."