It is celebration time or it is supposed to be for Muslims throughout the Arab world.

For Iraq’s Sunnis, today marks the start of Eid al- Adha or feast of sacrifice, while Iraq’s Shiites will begin the celebrations the day after. But for both communities it is a time to buy new clothes, food and traditional sweets – despite security concerns. In Gaza too, locals shop for candy, fruit, nuts and vegetables despite the poverty in the Hamas-ruled coastal territory. Eid is one of the most important dates on the Muslim calendar. But for those made homeless during the war with Israel the holiday is just another struggle. The UN says hundreds of Gaza families are still living in tents or in the ruins of their houses. Reconstruction has been hampered by the continued Israeli blockade that stops materials such as cement and steel from getting through. Zaid Khader, a resident of Gaza City complained his children kept asking him why he wasn’t buying them clothes, “why haven’t you bought a sheep to sacrifice?” He says the children are used to it but avoids them, to keep out of sight so they don’t keep asking for things.More about: Iraq, Poverty

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