Homs (Inshaat), Syria

Each day I shall try to share my favourite protest videos that I come across, hoping that they will bring a smile to your face too.

Map of protests in Syria - 31/12/2011

View Syria - Saturday 31/12/2011 in a larger map

New Year, New Beginnings

I write this very close to midnight, looking back over the past year, I can't quite believe everything that has happened. It feels like a lifetime ago I was looking up the first protest in Souq al Hamidiyah in Damascus on March 15th yet since then, it has flown by like a blink of an eye.

I wanted to write a post for a while now; a personal one for Syria. These past 9 months have caused me so much pain inside. I've been planning on going to Syria before the protests began, as I was already missing the country but seeing the country in such turmoil has physically taken its toll on me. Seeing so much pain and anguish has affected me beyond anything more I could have expected. The inability to help in any tangible form has only made me feel worse.

Of course what I'm feeling is nothing compared to those living in Syria, who've had family and friends arrested and killed. My heart goes out to them. I've had my cousin hurt, and I can understand the pain and worry that many families encounter for their loved ones.

I don't see how it will improve in the near future. The next weeks, months I imagine, will continue like it has. Protests everyday. Mass arrests. Daily death tolls of 20, give or take. I expect the total death toll would be certainly in the tens of thousands at least, despite the UN stating approximately 5000 - 6000 martyrs.

To all those who've died, in my heart you belong always. You will never be forgotten. Inshallah to the highest heaven.

Razan Ghazzawi Released

Razan Ghazzawi was released tonight. Her sister Nadine tweeted this earlier this evening :-)

#FreeRazan #Syria It's raining Razans… hallelujah :) It's official, sis is out! hopefully the same goes to all arrested sisters and brothers.

 I am happy for her release, and hope all other political detainees will be released soon.

Razan Ghazzawi Update

Razan Ghazzawi has now been charged with three crimes, according to this article in The Daily Star': “establishing an organization that aims to change the social and economical entity of the state,” “weakening the national sentiment, and trying to ignite sectarian strife," which could lead her with a prison sentence between 3 - 15 years.

We don't forget the blood of our martyrs

I haven't posted any videos on here in a while, so I shall add my favourite ones that I've made a note of.

Sanamayn 12/12/2011:

Nahtah 10/12/2011:

Ibtaa 10/12/2011:

Homs (Deir Ba'albah) 10/12/2011:

Mare' 04/12/2011:

Ma'arrat Numan 04/12/2011:

Sanamayn 03/12/2011:

Athman 03/12/2011:

Kherbet Ghazali 03/12/2011:

Homs (Deir Ba'albah) 05/12/2011:

Yaman Al Qadri Released

Yaman al-Qadri has been released on 30th November 2011. I wanted to make a quick note on the blog, as I have of yet mentioned she has been released. If there is any more information, I will indeed post.

I'm glad of her safe return. I hope the thousands of others follow suit and return home to their families.

May God protect them all.

Razan Ghazzawi

I start my first post of the month on Razan Ghazzawi, a 30 year old woman, who is well known for speaking out on Palestine, LGBT issues and of course on Syria via her blog and twitter account. She was born in the United States, though has never lived there but in Jeddah and in Syria.  

Razan Ghazzawi was recently detained by security forces in Syria near the Jordanian border (on the 4th December 2011). Close friends/family say that she was on her way to a workshop in Jordan organised by her employer, the Syrian Centre for Media and Freedom of Expression, when she was arrested. One friend told Reuters, “She was arrested as she presented her passport to immigration at the Syrian border post of Nassib to cross to Jordan.” Her sister, Nadine Ghazzawi, recently joined Twitter, where she posts updates on Razan's arrest and subsequent detainment.

Raising awareness of Razan's case across the world, will highlight the abuses that Syrians face in Syria for writing the truth, highlighting abuses and asking for a better future. Razan Ghazzawi is amongst thousands detained across the whole of Syria. Please spend a moment dedicating a tweet or Facebook message or even mention to your friends. 

I shall leave you with a quote from Razan Ghazzawi herself:

"The Syrian regime does not fear those imprisoned but those who do not forget them."