SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The Truman National Security Project and Honor the Promise hosted a celebration for Eid al-Fitr, an Islamic holiday that marks the end of Ramadan on Saturday, May 7 for Afghan refugees who have recently arrived in the community.
The event, held at the Salt City Market was the first of its kind in Syracuse, though the city was just one of a handful of places across the U.S. to host a veteran-led event honoring Muslim holidays to welcome refugees to their new homes.
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“Saturday was an excellent opportunity for local resettlement agencies and veterans’ organizations to welcome Afghans to Syracuse who served as interpreters for U.S. forces and Afghans who supported the U.S. over the past 20 years,” said the event organizer and Syracuse City School District teacher Zac Lois.
This August will mark one year since the evacuation of Afghan refugees and to date, over 300 Afghans have resettled in Syracuse.