Feature: Last selfie in Damascus before heading to Europe

After the Eid al-Adha prayers ended, Moaz and his four friends rushed to the Umayyad Mosque's ancient yard and snapped selfies, probably for the last time.

"I think this is my last Eid in Syria, as I am heading to Europe next week," Moaz said, pointing to his four friends who will join him.

The group said they previously planned the trip seeking refuge in Europe but chose to wait until the end of the feast holiday, which started Thursday.

"I didn't want to leave my family ahead of Eid. I think spending the holiday with them will appease them and afford me some peace as well," he said.

Moaz is one of hundreds of young men seeking refuge in Europe, who is escaping the high unemployment rates and skyrocketing prices in Syria, not to mention the ongoing conflict.

The young man studied computer science and his friends are also fresh graduates who believe they have a chance in Europe.

Samer, Moaz's friend, says he has mixed feelings about leaving Syria.

"My mind tells me to leave, but my heart yearns to stay. After deciding to leave, everything took on another dimension. The beautiful city's details which I had previously overlooked, the taste of water and the cool breeze. I think I am already homesick," he said.

Although he lives in a relatively safe district in central Damascus, Samer said there are more annoying but less important aspects of the conflict.

"Long hours of electricity outage, water shortages as well. I understand we are at war, but it has dragged on for way too long."

The young men admitted the most painful part of their migration is saying farewell to their parents.

"My mom is in her 50s, my dad is 10 years older, so there is no way I can take them with me. I am already taking a big risk myself. They must stay. The sea trip is dangerous plus I will walk long distances once I reach Europe," Samer said, as his friends nodded in agreement.

Rula, a mother of three, said her youngest son left to Europe but because he is a juvenile, Austrian police took him along with others in his age group to special camps.

"I wanted him to have a better chance in a safe country. He was headed to Germany, however on the road, Austrian police stopped their bus and inspected their identification cards and then took him away. The pain of losing him to Europe has already drained me," she said, reflecting upon the heartache most mothers experience when their children migrate to Europe.

"I wish he was with us. It's the first Eid without him," Rula said, adding that her elder son already made it to Germany before the younger brother embarked upon the trip.

The vast majority of young men are opting for Germany, due to a multitude of facilities provided by the German government. They believe they have a chance due to their education.

"I think I have a chance in Germany. They need educated people and I think I can find a decent job," Muaz said, adding that he will return to Syria once the crisis is over.

The Syrian government has reiterated that the refugee crisis is being politicized.

Prime Minister Wael al-Halqi said on Sept. 12 that Syrian immigration is a "foreign political scheme to deplete Syria of its young people" according to the state news agency SANA.

"The Syrian immigration file is a methodical and organized political scheme with deep critical dimensions to vacate Syria of its distinctive efficient caliber of young citizens, who could be involved in the future rebuilding of Syria," al-Halqi said.

Syria's Deputy Foreign Minister, Faisal Mekdad, said on Sept. 3 that his government is saddened by drowned Syrian refugees attempting to seek asylum in Europe.

"We are not merely sad. We are angry that Syrians and other nationalities are drowning whilst we stand by helplessly," Mekdad said, vowing that his government will do everything in its power to end the phenomenon.

"I assure you that we will resort to anything to prevent this phenomenon from persisting. However, in this issue, Syria needs the international community's complete and total support."

He called on Syrians to return to their country "because this is your rightful place," Mekdad said, accusing Western media and Turkey of encouraging Syrians to abandon their country.

Syria had a population of 22 million citizens before the war. Currently, over 12 million Syrians have been forced to flee their homes seeking refuge either inside Syria or overseas. Endit