Syria's Valentine

Dear Friends,

In the spirit of Valentine's Day, and in order raise more awareness about the situation in Syria, Citizens for Global Solutions and I would love it if you could reach out and send some love to those who are fighting for it in Syria...!

February 09th, 2012 Stand with the Syrian People Russia and China may not be showing the Syrians any love lately, but that doesn't mean we can't. Last week, they vetoed the latest U.N. Security Council resolution aimed at resolving the violent conflict waged by Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad against his own people. More than 6,000 people have died in Syria, and the violence rages on. The Syrian people need to know that Americans are frustrated by the inability of the international community to protect them from brutality. Syrians shouldn't have to suffer to get the basic human rights we are all entitled to. That's why Citizens for Global Solutions is collecting signatures for a virtual Valentine's Day card, from now through Valentine's Day to show that we care about the Syrian people and support their fight for freedom. Click here to sign the e-card and send your personal Valentine's Day message to the Syrian people. Your message will be sent to Syrian activists, Syrian Ambassador Imad Moustapha and U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice. Love works best when shared. Show your love and support for the Syrian people by forwarding this email to your friends and family, sharing it on Facebook and Twitter and changing your profile picture to our card image on Valentine's Day. With your participation, we can let the Syrian people know that the world is watching and that we have not forgotten them. Thanks for all that you do. Amanda B. Citizens for Global Solutions

From Ireland's Foreign Affairs Minister to Yemen, Bahrain, and Syria

My twittership with my dear friend Lesley from Ireland has been very productive, since she is such a freedom lover and a supporter of the Arab Spring. She always supported our cause with links, connections, tweets, and encouraging words. Lately she’s been in touch with the Minister for Foreign Affairs in her country, Ireland, Mr. Eamon Gilmore T.D. expressing her concern over situations in Yemen, Bahrain, and Syria. Mr. Gilmore responded to Lesley’s concerned letters with a letter of his own, and I asked her if we could obtain his permission to publish it. The answer was a positive one and here’s what the Irish Minister had to say about it all:

Ms. Lesley Shannon

26th October 2011

Our Ref: POL0110518

   

Dear Ms. Shannon,

Many thanks for your e-mail concerning the situation in Yemen, Bahrain and Syria. The recent momentous changes across the Arab world show that the democratic will of the people can’t be permanently repressed and will eventually prevail. We have witnessed historic events in Tunisia, Libya and Egypt and other regimes must clearly see that they must reform or stand aside. President Assad and his Government seem oblivious to the demands of the Syrian people for change and to the lessons of the “Arab Spring” elsewhere. It is unconscionable that the Syrian government has for some seven months calculatedly and systematically persecuted its own citizens peacefully demanding democratic freedoms. Despite the appeals of the international community, President Assad and his authorities have persisted in their violent repression, including firing at short-range into crowds of unarmed protestors and shelling Syrian towns. To date, these actions have resulted in the deaths of approximately 3,000 men, women and children. Thousands more have been detained and many of those have been appallingly tortured. As I stated when I addressed the UN General Assembly on 26 September, my basic message to President Assad is that no leader who refuses to listen to what his people are saying and to act on their clearly expressed desire for peace and reform can expect to remain in power.

With regards to the situation in Bahrain, I am very concerned at the human rights situation in Bahrain particularly the verdicts handed down to medics last months. I am concerned at both the lack of due process — for example, allegations of torture while the accused were in custody and the fact that these civilians were tried in military courts — and the severity of the sentences. The sentences also undermine prospects for much-needed national dialogue, reconciliation and reform in Bahrain. The Government has been pressing for an active response at EU level. I fully support the statement of EU High Representative Catherine Ashton on 30 September which Ireland together with other EU partners encouraged as a response to these sentences. I have already requested our Ambassador in Saudi Arabia, who is accredited to Bahrain, to make known our concerns directly to the Bahraini authorities and have strongly urged that none of those convicted on 29 September should be re-arrested, pending the appeal process which is now underway. 

I welcome as a positive development the announcement on 5 October that the twenty medical professionals will now have their cases re-tried in a civilian court and hopefully under circumstances which will allow proper due process to be followed. In the meantime, the Government will continue to monitor closely the situation and convey its concerns in the fullest terms to the Bahraini authorities, through our Embassy in Riyadh and through EU and other appropriate channels.

With regard to Yemen, I support the Gulf Cooperation Council’s initiative, which would see President Saleh step down and a formal transition of power launched.  The EU has repeatedly called on President Saleh to immediately sign and implement the GCC agreement without preconditions. I am also deeply concerned that the worsening political, security and economic situation has also led to a deteriorating humanitarian situation placing the vulnerable civilian population further at risk. 

I will continue to raise our concerns about situations where the civilian population is being repressed with our partners and in international fora. 

With kind regards,

Yours sincerely,

___________________________

Eamon Gilmore T.D.

Tánaiste

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

Within these couple of links you'll find the original copy of the letter presented in this blog:

Original letter part I 

Original letter part II 

I just want to take this opportunity to thank Lesley for her support and efforts. And I would like to thank Mr. Gilmore for being kind enough to respond, for allowing us to publish the letter, and of course for his positive and reassuring words and efforts.

Words for the Great Nation of Syria

Today, Saturday Nov. 5^th 2011, Mr. Burhan Ghalioun, head of the Syrian National Council, addressed the Syrian nation as the Eid holidays' eve. I translated the speech which was delivered in Arabic, and this is how it went:

"Great Nation of Syria

I speak before you today with Eid knocking on the doors while the country is still ruled by darkness, due to a dictatorship ruling which turned our country into a monarchy, went away with our dignity, violated our rights, strangled our freedom, and turned each and every one of us into a detainee in a big prison. And then you rise up like heroes do, and you sacrifice seeking your freedom. Every home has a case of a father who died, a sister who got raped, a brother who was arrested, or a child who got assaulted. Yet, your courage and immense determination and ability to sacrifice like that earned you many hearts around the globe and had tyranny look at you with great worry. You are not alone in this, for your sacrifice brought Syrians everywhere together, and unified all those abroad, and brought to light every bit of talent and power in every Syrian.

Great Nation of Syria

Syria will not be someone’s farm as it’s been for quite a long time now, but a true home of freedom and dignity for all. It shall never be a country of discrimination, injustice, and exclusion, but one country for one Syrian nation. A country in which there would be no place to indulge sectarianism or racism. Minority and majority will not stand to the principal of citizenship under which all are equal. Opportunities will arise specially for those who are more loyal and can sacrifice more for the good of our homeland. The new constitution shall protect minorities and grant them their rights. Kurds will reclaim their rights and forget the discrimination they had to be subjected to. The judicial, legislative, and executive authorities will be free and independent, and the government shall be subject to questioning, for true power shall be for the people and by the people through voting and ballot boxes. The new Syria will be one of law and human rights, where all are equal to judicial authorities, with equal rights to form parties and organizations and associations which shall contribute to the decision making process.

Great Nation of Syria

Every day that comes by, every drop of blood is getting us ever closer to our dream on this road of freedom, whereas the unjust regime keeps going down the dark tunnel which will eventually lead it to its imminent extinction, just like all dictatorships before it. Laws of the universe and history cannot change; those who kill their own people, arrest the young ones, and steal the country are most certainly traitors who will eventually fall and be prosecuted.

Great Nation of Syria

The Syrian National Council is leading the political battle inside and outside with you and on your behalf. It is your Council, and it’s your voice to let the world hear you and to defend your just cause. Its members are your comrades in this great battle for freedom. We are all honored and pleased with your support, and in support of you we promise to spare neither effort nor time to help topple this tyrant regime. We shall not negotiate the Syrian blood, and the mourning parents, and we shall not fall for the regimes' tricks and manipulations. We, at the National Council, believe that the regime is looking for nothing but gaining time, yet its efforts will be in vain. We realize that the responsibility laid upon us is immense, we feel your pain, but challenges are grave and none more important than building a strong and solid body capable of running the country during the transitional period. This cannot happen in days despite the fast progress we were able to achieve. We have approached the General Secretariat of the Arab League and the United Nations with an official letter to help protect civilians in Syria through committing the regime to accept International Observers inside the country. Other options are many, and we shall exclude none.

Great Nation of Syria

In this holy day, we address the free soldiers who refused unjust orders, risking their lives in the process in order to defend their brothers and sisters and the peaceful demonstrations. We assure you that Syrians will never forget the true patriotic spirit you’ve shown, and we call upon the Syrian army to follow your lead respecting their military oath protecting the land and the citizens, not a ruling regime. We urge you not to obey higher ranks orders of shooting at peaceful protesters, for there is no excuse for any soldier following such orders. We assure Syrians who are still afraid or hesitant that this revolution is theirs as well, as you are our brothers and we share not only blood but also the future.

Great Nation of Syria

Syrians can never forget those who stood by them and supported their cry for freedom; countries as well as organizations. And we will not spare any effort rallying for more international support of our just cause, despite the stand which few countries took listening to the regime and defending it. This tyrant regime is history and will not rise again, and it is still wrongly betting on driving the nation to civil war and chaos, therefore our only guaranty for not falling into such scenario is in our unity until victory and beyond.

Great Nation of Syria

The future of Syria is being made now, the new Syria which we’ve always hoped and worked for; free Syria, dignified Syria, loving Syria, and prosperous Syria. It falls upon us all the great responsibility of liberating this great country, rescuing it, and getting it back to life and back on its feet, and leading it into a bright future, a future not too distant anymore.

May mercy be upon martyrs of freedom and dignity, blessings for the wounded, and freedom for the arrested.

Long live Syria ever free and dignified; long live the great Syrian nation unified and master of its homeland, holiday’s greetings to all."

Please click here for the YouTube video with English subtitles.

I found the speech uplifting, precise, addressing the right issues at the right time, and most of all very comforting. This is what I came away with, leaving the judgment to you as well since this is the Syria we're striving for; where everyone is entitled to his own opinions...

Armed gangs or no armed gangs

Let me start by saying I don’t know…! I believe no one can claim for absolute certainty to know the truth behind that, because as a Syrian who’s deeply concerned about my home place I wouldn’t want to rule anything out, and I would want these “armed gangs”, should they exist, to be dealt with. Still, and for so many reasons this story looked fishy to me; at least the way it is being presented by the regime. Yet I couldn’t completely rule it out because let’s face it; the possibility is there as Syria has many enemies just like any other country, and the conspiracy theory isn’t imaginary.

Before even getting into that I must mention, out of fairness and honesty, that there were few incidents we heard about where people opposing the regime have used non-peaceful means against security forces and their thugs mostly in defense and fewer times in revenge. But, and with same fairness and honesty, it was rather obvious that these were isolated incidents and not in context with the dominant peaceful protests and peaceful means. That’s really important and all the revolution committees stressed over and over again in all the Syrian cities that they don’t adopt, encourage, nor bless any acts of violence, and it goes without saying that self defense is self defense! And more recently detected army soldiers were working on protecting peaceful and unarmed civilians the best way they can. I may speak of that in greater detail in future blogs.

A theory in question

The real armed gangs.

Now, back to the “armed gangs” issue, and allow me here to rain you with questions which I believe would hold answers within(this will be long so pls bare it with me): Isn’t it a just a little fishy that these “armed gangs” existed right when protesting did? And continued to do so? Let’s assume that this was a plan to frame security forces as the regime assumes, how come after all this time the regime failed and keeps on failing to secure the protests? Wasn’t all pro-regime demonstrations secured? Is that really how “armed gangs” work? Don’t “armed gangs” normally claim responsibility and make demands? And on the same subject, do “armed gangs” normally bury their victims only for the regime to dig the corpses out and claim a mass grave? Why did this phenomenon start to occur straight before army assaults on cities? Let’s take Hama as an example; didn’t the fine citizens of the city demonstrate in great numbers very peacefully for weeks with no trace of “armed gangs”? Wasn’t that claim of non-existence of such gangs supported by the US ambassador and the Swiss journalist who were there? OK, then why did the army enter? And how come all peaceful demonstrations stopped completely or became of lesser numbers after we got rid of those gangs in a certain city? And here’s a big one; how come all traces of distraction, sabotage, and all atrocities which are attributed to “armed gangs” occur only after the army and security invade certain places rather than before? Haven’t we seen enough videos to claim otherwise? Isn’t it safe to claim that since our mighty regime and intelligence couldn’t deal with those gangs after all this time then that’s enough reason for them to go? Why does the official story keep varying from blaming Salafis to neighboring Lebanon to further away the Saudis and then the Turks and again back to the Salafis [To name a few]? Doesn’t the public deserve more specific information by now about the “gangs”? Is it really enough what state TV keeps on showing as “armed gangs”; members mentioning vague names such as Abu Mhammad, Abu Ali, and Abu Sameer as their suppliers and/or “gang leaders”? And why is free press, except those who are friends of the regime [not free by the way], disallowed from operating in Syria should the official story be the correct one? Are heavy tanks, military planes, and even army warships really necessary in the process of eliminating the “gangs”? Does cutting off water and electricity seem like a creative technique for that matter, or does it sound more like a mass punishment? Finally, is it safe to suggest that at least 90% of the time the only “armed gangs” killing, stealing, destroying, and sometimes raping are those of the regime, their thugs, or what we call them here “Shabbiha”? Bingo! Now we’re going somewhere…  Moreover, the conspiracy seems to be rather an internal matter much more than external!

Still, with all that stress on the “armed gangs” story by the regime, it doesn’t explain key elements and incidents within the overall story of Syria at the moment, such as; the catastrophic number of detainees and arrested people in the regime’s prisons, mainly Syria’s elite, some of whom are being severely tortured, and the footages of bombarding minarets and desecrating mosques, the personal attack on Ali Ferzat the international Syrian cartoonist for his anti-regime sketches, and the slaughtering of Ibrahim Qashoosh the singer who sang an anti-Bashar tune during a protest, and… and… and…

Conclusions

I would like to conclude by presenting this YouTube video which was very bravely shot a while back by one of the protesters, and the significance of this one is that it supports everything I mentioned. Kindly view it and watch how the guy dressed as a civilian is supported by all the security men behind him, and shooting at protesters. Now here’s what you must note; he’s using his gun in the middle of the street with no fear whatsoever of any violent response, and not hiding behind something solid or at least protective in case of an armed opposition. Would anyone behave in such a manner if he knew he was up against “gangs” that have been wreaking havoc in the country all over? Now, in many cases army soldiers were led to believe that they were up against armed gangs, but in this case it’s clear that this dude knows exactly what he’s facing… Peaceful protesters!

If you’re really interested, just go to YouTube and browse through all the videos concerning the subject, as there is lots of stuff out there by now, and I bet you’ll find all the answers to all the questions that I have been able to raise here…

Know them by their... flags!!!

It's become something of a phenomenon since the 15th of march 2011... The Syria flag of Red, White, Black, and the two green stars which we normally see whenever there's a football match, a national event, or on a normal day at school is now divided all of a sudden into three slightly different flags.

Let's get visual...

Now, this flags is clearly of the pro-regime Syrians. They managed to add the picture of their leader "Bashar Al-Assad" as a third star with the phrase [we love you]. You can see the flag on few of their facebook accounts and hanging out of balconies and buildings, because we have freedom in this country to do that!

The current Syrian flag. Now, when you see this flag on facebook accounts and/or on balconies, you can make any assumption here, because this guy could be pro-regime, pro-uprising, or not even sure were he stands as yet. Could be anything really! I'd say it's the safest flag to raise...

Uha... This flag is the Syrian flag before the union with Egypt. The carrier of this flag may or may not know the meaning of it and what's behind it but you'll see it on some of the accounts of people opposing the regime, make no mistake about that. One thing I can tell you for sure, though, you wouldn't normally see this flag on balconies or in public.

This, however, doesn't mean that Syrians are really divided by the flags. It's just temporary as I hope and feel, and Syria will be a place for everyone again soon.

As for me, I don't feel the need to hang a flag out the window, nor have it on my twitter or facebook profile, because it is already in my heart. And whichever flag Syrians might choose for the new Syria is already blessed and accepted by me as long as it includes everyone.

Good Cop Bad Cop

Good Cop Bad Cop

I’m sure you know what I’m talking about… We’ve seen it over and over in as many Hollywood movies as you’d like, yet let me paint the picture! A suspect is sitting in a small investigation room with dimmed light just enough to distinguish the table and set of chairs in the middle. He’s been made to wait an awful bit of time as the first step of the unnerving investigation process, his body language would suggest that this is working. Two cops are outside watching him closely through the mirror glass trying to judge the exact moment to step in, and when they do, the agreed upon process begins. The “good cop” takes the initiative by grabbing a seat very calmly and sits to face the agitated suspect, while the “bad cop” is using the wall as a mattress. The “good cop” would kick off with simple basic questions moving on to the serious ones rather quickly, hoping the guy in question would respond positively and therefore make easy of their job. Well, more often than not the suspect doesn’t cooperate and so the “good cop” would act tired and leave the room for a cigarette or a cup of coffee, and that’s when the “bad cop” would step in. He’s been watching all the nonsense with impatience and now comes his chance to do it his own way; violence would start with words and would normally escalate into physical assault, just about when the “good cop” is back again. Appalled and angry, he would scold his college and ask him to take a break, he would then turn to the suspect who’s starting to feel like he might have a friend here or at the very least a nice enemy. Nice would describe the words used to get the truth out of him, it all depends really on how fragile he is becoming; otherwise the game of “good cop bad cop” will continue until all is out!

This, the way I see it, portrays to some extent what’s been going on in Syria for years! After the physical death of Hafez Al-Assad, Bashar seemed to be the perfect candidate to become his successor with an extra role of the “good cop”, whereas his brother Maher and the rest of the army and intelligence leaders would carry the spirit of Hafez by taking up the role of “bad cop”. For years Bashar played the reformer, who’s always ready to sweat-talk the nation into more trust and hope, whereas the intelligence device would deal with all those who dare to question that. Recent events very strongly expose this game to all those who couldn’t see it before, as we see on daily basis the “bad cop” is in action while the “good cop” is trying to hang on to the image of the regime and legitimize the game! But Syrians “the suspect” are having none of it; some never really bought it from the start, while many others are finally able to see.

There are few major differences comparing the Hollywood version to the Syrian one, though. One is the fact that both cops are in reality bad ones in the Syria scenario playing a dirty game, as opposed to the good cops usually portrayed in the movies. A lot of theories about Bashar would suggest he’s stuck with his role rather than playing it willingly, but for my money and after all that had happened it’s all the same. Another major difference would have to be that “the suspect” is innocent, falsely accused, and should not be a suspect in the first place; just like those playing the cops should never have been fit to play these roles as the current happenings would suggest.

In short, we dream of a new game now; where cops are just cops, leaders are just leaders, and people are safe and able to choose their leaders and cops and question them… it’s the game of democracy!

The Skaf Effect

"I'm more of a Syrian than you are"

Mai Skaf is a Syrian actress and easily one of the icons of the Syrian Uprising… She was one of few actors and actresses; Syria’s “elite” if I may say, who raised the voice against the insanity of what’s happening in her country. In doing so, she without fail harmed the regime dearly, and in so many ways, exposing the lies and proving that the events that are taking place are not at all concerning thugs and ignorant folks, and that it’s not a sectarian driven struggle as the regime was constantly trying to portrait. Therefore, she was legitimizing a revolution that those in power were desperately trying to condemn and distort.

Yet, that’s not why I believe the actions of her and fellow “elite” are so important. It’s the fact that they’re famous, and it’s what I’d like to call “the Skaf effect”! Fame brings along tremendous influence especially if you’re an actor/actress.  On one hand, that was vital for Syrians to hear their voice resonated by the elite of the society and therefore being magnified. On the other hand, and this is where I believe the greater damage was done, their fame was their weapon! Well, when I looked into the details of the story of her arrest along with her friends I could so easily notice that they were treated with more care than the average Syrian would. They are known, not just by their families but by all Syrian and many Arabs who are watching the uprising as it unfolds. And to some extent they must have used that weapon for their own safety and for speaking up on behalf of the voiceless…!

“The Skaf effect” must be used… No excuse! Yet many public figures failed to do so; artists, writers, religious figures, and other public figures. Few have even declared loyalty to the regime, while the majority took comfort with their silence choosing not to use their somewhat immune voices, and therefore leaving that to the common man.

Yet, guess what? The common man will do it anyway, and the voice will be heard!

Who? What? Why? How? Where?

Answers

OK… My name is Mariya and for now let’s say my last name is Suriya!

I’m a 33 year-old interior designer [my job now is Syria] who’s living a stable and enjoyable life… thank God.

I’m currently in Syria, and more specifically in Latakia.

I have decided to blog about Syria and subsequently about the Arab Spring.

Interpretations

That was all fine, but let me tell you the real stuff about me and why I’m doing this:

I’m human first and foremost… and a Syrian in between and amongst other things!

I have a mind, a heart, and a consciousness and I believe that I hold my destiny with my own hands.

I motioned the fact that I’m living a stable and balanced life in order to stress that I have no selfish motives in supporting the uprising in my county… In fact chances are things might go bad for me personally in terms of making a living, but it will be great for all Syrian eventually… So I hope! Moreover, when all this is over I won’t be participating in politics in any way because I hate it, and I’ll just go back to my quiet life.

Since I’m now in Syria I’ll be giving you the inside story… My story, or the way I see things, putting in mind how proud I am of my people rising up the way they are. I’ll be using my mind and heart and the filter of consciousness to remain as subjective as one can be. You may, however, feel the need to check other stories and make up your own judgment.

Reasons

Why blog for Syria? The answer to that is rather simple:

·         I love my country, and every country… I love people, all people… need I go on!

·         I’m addicted to freedom… I did achieve it to a large degree in my personal life, and now I wish it for everyone, and will support it everywhere.

·         Human rights, which became more like human dreams in our countries.

·         My life is never the same ever since fellow citizens like Tal, Hamza, and thousands others are either dead, detained, and/or tortured.

·         I can… you can… and more importantly, we all can if we unite!

·         The universe consists of atoms…! And every atom counts. I’m an atom who won’t just stand and watch, but will vibrate in a certain way that would serve that universe and the other atoms.

So, that was a bit about me and my blog… the rest will come later!

Thank you for reading this, and welcome into Mariya’s world! My blog is an attempt for me to speak out hoping it'll be an oasis for you where you can relax and still be in the uprising mood...!