You're more important than politics

For countless days, I've been monitoring the events in Syria, only wishing I could take part. Though as time wore on, I received numerous comments along the lines of "Your life is more important than politics, it's a good thing you're not actively protesting" and "Why should you care? It's not your problem to fix."

My life is more important than politics?

What about the 3,000 + who have died so far in Syria? What about the tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of those who have or are currently detained by the Syrian regime, who are subject to extreme torture during every day they are detained? It's OK that they are subjected to that kind of life whilst we sit in our homes unaffected by a cruel regime? Not every single person killed or detained were actively protesting; some were by-standers, in the wrong place at the wrong time, and others were relatives of those involved.

Syria, a population of approximately 23 million, has lived in relative silence for 40 years (too long). Yes I understand that no government is perfect, but that doesn't mean we should stay quiet on a regime that kills its own people and abuses all human rights. I've always despised the American government especially in its foreign policies along with the British such as the Iraq war, the Afghanistan war as well as Guantanamo Bay. I'm sure I would despise many more European governments if I came to research more about them, many of whom are imperialistic and colonial, but at least westerners have more opportunities than those in Syria. Though that doesn't mean we can't take the time to improve each and every one of those countries. I will continue to highlight the abuses of the western governments, so why should I not of the Syrian regime? How can society improve, whichever society it may be, without constant dialogue, without people actively engaging in issues and highlighting abuses? Syrians have never been actively involved in politics; only a small portion of the population are and they are often subject to harassment and detainment. Politics affects every part of people's lives.

Human rights abuses were evident for a long time in Syria where there's a long history of arbitrary arrest, unfair trials and prolonged detentions. At least five detainees died in custody in 2010, with no serious investigations into their deaths by the authorities. That's just in 2010. Kurds also face constant discrimination, when also in 2010, security forces shot at a crowd of Kurds celebrating the Kurdish New Year in the city of Raqqa, in northern Syria, in order to disperse them where at least one was killed. It wasn't until April of this year (2011) where Kurds were allowed to obtain citizenship; a demand they've been requesting for many years but was only granted after nationwide protests took place across Syria as a way to end the protests. I could go on for ages writing about the abuses many Syrians have faced, ranging decades back such as the Tadmor prison massacre and the Hama massacre to name a couple though I'm sure there's ample sites that could advance your knowledge on Syrian history.

Corruption in Syria is very high. It's estimated that Rami Makhlouf, Bashar al-Assad's maternal cousin, controls approximately 60% of Syria's economy. Makhlouf's large network of regional business partners provides Bashar al-Assad with enormous leverage at home and provides the regime with a layer of protection against outside Arab pressures; an asset that Bashar wouldn't want to lose. Many speculate that the Assad family themselves are directly benefited by Rami's ventures by hidden profits being supplied to them, but there's currently no solid evidence to support it. According to the US Department of the Treasury, “Makhlouf has manipulated the Syrian judicial system and used Syrian intelligence officials to intimidate his business rivals. He employed these techniques when trying to acquire exclusive licenses to represent foreign companies in Syria and to obtain contract awards.” Rami is the very symbol of corruption in Syria.

Assad's regime's main goal is to stay in power. As a result, its interest will never shift to economic growth and development. Syria's culture of corruption inherently blocks meaningful long-term domestic reform. The regime has had years to develop meaningful reforms to help the working and middle class but instead has resorted to superficial gestures of improvement; most state initiatives are Potemkin reform at best, merely façades.

So tell me why Bashar al-Assad should stay in power? Why should the Ba'ath party be the only political party to legally exist in Syria? Why can't a nation be involved in it's politics?

The current regime has no incentive to engage with the opposition. They haven't done so in the past 7 months, nor are they trying to now. Until they engage in dialogue and call back their army and shabeeha, then people will go out to protest. When the regime affects every part of the civilians lives, causing many to be outraged at the lack of opportunities, the lack of money and clear violations of human rights, you expect people to sit back and say thank you?

How can you expect me to sit back whilst all of this is happening?

N.B. If I hear one more person stating that what is happening is an American/British/Israeli/Saudi/Qatari conspiracy where those just mentioned fund armed gangs within Syria, with the aim at destabilising the region, I will literally explode. The Assads haven't done anything good worth mentioning domestically in Syria. The resistance to Israel and America comes from the people, not from a government that doesn't know how to lead a country. Though if that's what you really truly believe, then be it. But for the anti-imperialists, anti-NATO, anti colonialists out there who aren't Syrian, please stay out of it; it really infuriates me to see people who are not directly implicated or involved, who have not been or lived in Syria think they know what they're talking about when they say this is all one big conspiracy in  order to help their resistance.

Syria 26/10/2011

View Syria - Wednesday 26/10/2011 in a larger map

Undercover Reporter in Syria

Children of Daraa

I really like the following cartoon. There are quite a few political cartoonists who regularly draw on Syria; their pictures are certainly quite clever. Near the child at the bottom of the picture, the text reads "Children of Daraa". 

Homs, Syria

Here's a video of a lovely protest in Homs (Inshaat), a central city in Syria as well as being one of the most active cities in the Syrian uprising (21/10/2011): 

I love Homs;  my heart and thoughts are with every single Homsi. 

Panorama: Syria Inside the Secret Revolution

A Panorama programme on Syria was aired on BBC last week (26/09/2011). It focuses on Daraa, a southern city of Syria, where the revolution began in March. It's a good programme, which I would recommend people to watch.

An event that changed me

A couple of months back, I was asked by my old school teacher to write an account of an event in my life that changed me, which I happily did (to be used for a school assignment). Of course I wrote about Syria, so here it is, since I wanted to share it with you all.

Nine months ago, I made the decision to spend some time in Syria, to volunteer and improve my Arabic, hoping one day my improved skills will be brought to good use. Though the events that came about during these 9 months, caused me disappointment initially, as it meant my parents wouldn’t allow me to travel to Syria; it turned out to be a huge lesson in disguise.

Unlike most people I’ve encountered, I struggled with an identity. As an Arab and a Syrian, I grew up in a small middle class English town since my early years. I was never surrounded by Arabs nor did I speak Arabic as fluently as I would like despite understanding it completely. I never had an Arab accent nor do I ‘look’ like an Arab. But I’m an ‘outsider’. I’m an outsider despite being schooled here all my life. I’m an ‘outsider’ despite having a English accent. I’m an ‘outsider’ despite volunteering to put something good back into society. I’m an ‘outsider’ despite feeling English and British. As an ‘outsider’, I should “go back to where I come from” as some kindly put it.

Summer vacations were spent in Syria for as long as I can remember. I’ve always held a connection to the country and each year I would miss the atmosphere. But I never felt that I truly belonged. Again, I felt like an outsider but for more obvious reasons. Reasons such as my accent and my Arabic proficiency, or lack of it I should say, as well as how I dressed.

Many will probably have not heard of Syria. Syria, with a population of 23 million, lies between Turkey and Jordan, as well as bordering Lebanon, Israel and Iraq. It’s a central Arab country whether in culture or in politics. In March, a number of events became a spark that catalysed into the beginning of an uprising; an uprising that eventually demanded for the fall of the president, Bashar Al-Assad, who inherited rule from his late father in 2000, who reigned for 29 years up until his death.

For days, I read all the news I could gather on Syria. Security forces would shoot at peaceful protesters who took to the streets of Syria to demand dignity, free speech, release of political detainees, the end of emergency laws and an end of human rights abuses. The Syrian ‘government’ however manufactured ‘conspiracies’ to undermine the protests. Syrian officials initially claimed that ‘Islamic extremists’ are to blame for the events. Over time it became ‘armed gangs’ and ‘terrorists’ funded by the west and serving Zionist interests, are conspiring a plot against Syria, in order to cause chaos and instability in the Middle East.

During this time, I became involved. What started as an interest, turned into an obligation. I began to collate information together and then raise awareness of events. My mind was fixated on Syria; a topic that dominated my world where I felt I had to talk about it non-stop. It also dominated my social networking sites. Weeks later though , a call from my uncle tells me to “tone it down,” that my actions have severe consequences attached; if I keep going I will be detained upon arrival at Damascus airport by security forces. I will be tortured though how long I’ll be detained for and will the torture lead to my death would be the only uncertainties.

For the first time in my life, I was, and still am to an extent, in fear beyond what I’ve ever experienced. I saw videos emerge of bodies tortured to death; they didn’t even spare 13 year old boys, where their bodies were severely mutilated. I deleted everything online, making sure all traces of evidence were gone. Though this time a different kind of heavy feeling set in my stomach; I’m turning into a hypocrite who would outwardly ask for a better world to live in but doing nothing to achieve it.

What hit home for me was the death of Ibrahim Qaloush, a poet who voiced his opinions, in the city of Hama. His own chants and slogans became revolutionary anthems across Syria. Protests in Hama brought hundreds of thousands of Syrians, all of whom were calling for the downfall of the regime. Videos of Ibrahim Qaloush’s protests went viral around the world, and brought smiles to every Syrian watching until he was found dead by a river bank. Security forces severely cut his throat; a powerful symbolic move for chanting out his lyrics at protests. Am I capable to overlook these crimes?

The Syrian uprising has brought me my identity. It brought me the feeling of belonging and an obligation to help. It made me question my character on honesty and courage. It made me question what right and wrong is, and the shades in-between. Ultimately, it provided me with a greater identity; I feel more Syrian and Arab than I ever felt before. I feel passionate about Syria and I’m proud to be from among a people who are against all odds to succeed. Every night, my dreams take me to the streets of Syria, where I long to be right now, where I can stand by my fellow Syrians and chant “Yalla irhal ya Bashar”; “Leave Bashar”.