Heed the Syrian Cries for Freedom
By C. Naseer Ahmad
Washington, DC
Hardly a day goes by without the death counts in Syria, where the quest for freedom started peacefully. Inspired by the ‘Arab Spring’, Syrians demanded a basic human right – freedom from tyranny. The response of the Assad regime has been to demonize the protestors and wanton destruction.
It seems that many in the Muslim world have pressed the mute button and are unable to heed the Syrian cries of freedom. Some are perhaps silent because they might have bought into the Assad regime’s propaganda that the uprising in Syria is yet another imperialist plot against Islam and Muslims. Others may be apprehensive because of the malicious canard about the weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.
The suffering of the Syrians is real. Listening to their stories one comes to believe that the yearning for freedom comes from decades of repression.
The element of fear instilled by the Assad regime is not just within the borders of Syria but also abroad. The intensity of this fear is unbelievable. On July 23, 2011, I attended a gathering of Syrian activists, from across the country, who came to express solidarity with those seeking relief from the tyranny. Before entering the ball-room, one had to be screened by big burly security men. It was both uncomfortable and incredible. But after talking to many of the attendees, one could understand the fear that just participating in this event could endanger their family or relatives in Syria. The fear was not far fetched because last month the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) arrested a Syrian-American living in Virginia for conducting espionage in collaboration with Syrian intelligence. He has been charged with secret recordings and sharing the names and contacts of those attending such rallies.
Malek Jandali, a gifted and popular Syrian pianist, electrified the audience with his music. Together with singer Salma Habib, the song ‘Watani Ana’ brought the audience to their feet. Unfortunately, Jandali’s parents reportedly paid the price for his participation in this rally. It is reported that they were immediately arrested and beaten in Damascus.
Syria is not the only country to have suffered from dictators and their repression. Those born in Pakistan are likely have some memories of military dictators like Ayub Khan, Yahya Khan, Mohammad Zia ul-Haque and Pervaiz Musharraf. Even Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif had authoritarian characters and were not too kind to their opponents. As I heard the speeches at this rally of the Syrians in America and from the personal stories from those on my table, it occurred to me that even in their worst days none of these Pakistani leaders seem to have committed such cruelty towards their countrymen as Bashar Assad and his father visited upon Syrians.
There is nothing Islamic about torture and repression. It is time for the Assad regime to go and prevent needless bloodshed and loss of innocent lives. The Syrian struggle to regain freedom is a justified effort that needs support of fellow Muslims in Pakistan and around the world.
