Khartoum Wears the Bright Garment of Eid as Its Citizens Return| Sudanow Magazine

Khartoum (Sudanow) — Khartoum has adorned itself with a renewed sense of pride and dignity as its citizens return and celebrate Eid al-Fitr from within their own homes after three years of displacement—years marked by exile and refuge. The joy has been immense, signaling the city’s gradual recovery and its forward movement toward reconstruction, driven by the return of its people to their homes.

Sudanow conducted a field tour and interviews across the three cities of Khartoum State to gauge the scale of celebration marking both Eid and the long-awaited return, after an absence spanning more than three Eids.

The journey began in Al-Kalakla, south of Khartoum, where resident Abdelrahman Ahmed Makki described this year’s Eid as profoundly different in both form and meaning.

“This Eid brought double joy—two Eids in one,” he said. “Returning home after more than three years of forced absence due to this devastating war has been overwhelming. Praise be to God, we are back after a painful displacement that affected all residents of the state. We returned with nothing—only the bare walls of our homes. But through determination and resilience, we managed to secure basic furniture sufficient for our families. We endured every hardship to come back and to restore Khartoum to what it once was.”

He added that Eid provided a timely opportunity for many residents to return, creating a vibrant atmosphere:
“People of all ages wore their Eid clothes, the sound of takbeerat filled the air, mosques overflowed with worshippers from early morning, and neighbors visited one another in a joy beyond words.”

In closing, he called on all Khartoum residents—both within Sudan and abroad—to return immediately and take part in reconstruction efforts:
“Do not miss the opportunity to rebuild our homes, streets, and neighborhoods. Khartoum is now safer than ever, free from insurgents. As conflicts erupt elsewhere, Sudan is poised to become a haven of stability, attracting investment and capital for rebuilding.”

From Khartoum North, journalist Souad Mohamed Saleh shared her experience:

“Praise be to God, abundant and blessed praise. We have returned to our homes after two years of displacement to the Northern State following the outbreak of war on April 15, 2023.

Now, during these blessed days of Eid al-Fitr—may it return with goodness and blessings—I was overwhelmed with joy hearing the first takbeer from our neighborhood mosque after the sighting of the Shawwal moon. To experience these moments inside my own home, in a neighborhood gradually coming back to life as residents return and basic services like electricity and water are restored, is indescribable.

Despite the fact that many homes were looted, vandalized, and left without essential furniture by those lacking conscience, this did not diminish our joy at returning.

On the morning of Eid, rows formed for the first Eid prayer after years of absence. We exchanged greetings and remembered loved ones who lost their lives during the war. We prayed for them, though their absence deepened our sorrow, as they could not share this long-awaited joy with us in homes we had abandoned for more than four Eids.

Our solace was in prayer—we raised our hands to God, asking Him to protect this country and grant it lasting peace, security, and stability.”

From Omdurman, citizen Ahmed Hassan Ahmed extended his Eid greetings to all Sudanese, particularly the displaced and refugees who endured the bitterness of loss and exile:

“May they return safely to their homes now that security and stability have spread across Khartoum State and life is returning—indeed, better than before.”

He noted the reopening of markets, which welcomed citizens preparing for Eid by purchasing clothes, shoes, sweets, baked goods, and even furniture to replace what had been looted.

“The joy of return was shared by adults and children alike. This Eid came in a new form, affirming Khartoum’s recovery through the efforts of its people. There is a unique taste to celebrating Eid freely in your own home, among your neighbors and loved ones.”

He renewed his call for solidarity:
“Let us sustain the spirit of cooperation and compassion that defined Ramadan. Let Eid extend the season of الخير (goodness), strengthening values of empathy and unity, and supporting those in need.

Building a free, dignified, sovereign nation requires collective awareness, readiness for sacrifice, and a firm commitment to national values that safeguard our unity and the future of generations to come.”

In Al-Jereif, one resident who never left her home throughout the three years of conflict offered a different perspective:

“Eid during war is nothing like Eid after peace. During the war, we lived through unimaginable hardship. Even during Taraweeh prayers, they would roam around, looting homes—not merely for theft, but to terrorize us and prevent us from praying. On Eid day, gunfire would be used to frighten worshippers and children. After prayer, people would return directly home—no visits, no celebrations, except for brief greetings among those present at the mosque.”

She continued:
“But after God blessed us with security and stability, and with the return of residents, everything changed. We prayed in peace, spent our nights in full devotion, and as Eid approached, joy returned—visible on the faces of children before adults.

Children rushed to bakeries to prepare traditional baked goods they had been deprived of for three years. Takbeerat echoed through mosques until Eid arrived. The streets filled with worshippers, homes opened their doors to visitors, and celebrations continued late into the night.

As for the children—their joy was something entirely different.”

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