Public holidays in Syria

Friday is the mostly Muslim Syria officially closing day. Authorities, banks and most shops are closed. Except in the Christian quarters, where the shops are open on Fridays, closed on Sundays, however.

On national holidays official sites ( offices) and schools are closed in Syria, on the other hand opened shops ( except May 1st). In the streets, parades, the state television reported praise of the state.

About 80 percent of the Syrian population is Muslim. The Islamic holidays are based on the lunar calendar. Christmas is also popular with non-Christians, a popular, but not as a religious festival. In the Islamic festival of sacrifice and feast of breaking the fast all official agencies and banks are closed.

2012 were about 10 percent of the Syrian Christians of different denominations (see religions in Syria). Christians of the Western and Eastern Churches ( Syriac ) celebrate Easter strictly separated. Christmas is celebrated on December 25, Armenian Christians celebrate Christmas on January 6. There are also some local saints' days of Syrian Christians such as the anniversary of St. Thekla on 24 September in Maalula, which is celebrated by the Greek Orthodox faithful in procession.