Syria
Another Harsh Ramadan in Syria
Each year, we are reminded to brace ourselves for the most challenging Ramadan yet. With the gradual deterioration of living conditions for all Syrians, many find themselves unable to partake in the cherished religious and social rituals as they would wish, despite their profound and joyful significance. The economic analysis, coupled with our lived experiences, indicate that this year is indeed the most difficult yet.
A Spotlight on the Underworld
The Ramadan soap opera “Badeea’s Children” is restoring faith in Syrian TV after a period of cautious and uninspiring plotlines, providing an unflinching view of crime, violence and the struggles of contemporary Syrian society that is taking audiences by storm.
How Syrians Put Their Faith in the Younger Assad
Hafez al-Assad’s son Bashar initially seemed to embody a new era of freedom and opportunity. The young eye doctor was untested, but Syrians were so starved for change that they chose to believe that a new generation of leaders, who had lived and studied abroad, would be likelier to set them free.
Riad al-Turk’s Lifelong Struggle for a Free and Democratic Syria
Riad al-Turk lived a life of great personal sacrifice in the struggle for a free and democratic Syria. He suffered greatly but was not broken. His long periods in prison, and his unwavering commitment to freedom, earned him comparisons to Nelson Mandela. He leaves behind a rich legacy.
Remembering My Brother and His Boss, Salah Jadid
When he became a pilot in Syria’s air force, standing in front of my mother in his green military uniform, I thought no one could be braver or stronger than my brother. But Syria in the 1960s and ’70s was a dangerous place, changing month by month, and navigating its treacherous waters often proved fatal, even to the strongest.
Revisiting the Erasure of Kurdish Identity in Syria
When my parents gave me my Kurdish name, their choice was not a casual decision but an act of preserving their Kurdish identity. The forcible changing of names is not a minor alteration; it is an attempt to unravel parts of the cultural tapestry binding all Kurds together.
The Stories and Art of the Displaced Help Reveal the Meaning of Home
While news outlets often turn refugees into faceless numbers and politicians weaponize their struggles to fit their own agendas, I find nothing more powerful than individual stories, and the way each of us tries to make sense of the burning question: What is home, when you can no longer return?