Turkish charity hosts iftar meal for orphans in Syria at World Orphans Day

By Omer Koparan

AZAZ, Syria (AA) - Syrian orphans came together at the iftar, fast-breaking meal, in the Azaz district of Aleppo in northern Syria on the occasion of World Orphans Day.

The iftar was organized by the Istanbul-based Damascus Orphans Association, which carries out relief efforts in Syria for approximately 200 children who were orphaned by the attacks of the Bashar al-Assad regime and its supporters.

A psychological counselor, Abir Abdulkale, who volunteers in the region told Anadolu that they wanted to bring together Syrian orphans living in tents at the fast-breaking event to remind them that they were not alone.

Participating in the iftar event,12-year-old Hedil Mahmud said: “My father died in Tell Rifaat. I wish my father could be with me. I could hug my father like other children.”

World Orphans Day was announced at the 5th International Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations of the Islamic World held in Istanbul in 2013 in partnership with the Humanitarian Relief Foundation and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.