“Before there was a political position, there were genuine and noble emotions.”
That is how Syria’s President Ahmad Al Shara described the UAE’s response after the fall of the Bashar Al Assad regime, when his forces swept into Damascus in December 2024. He was speaking at the Arab Media Summit in Dubai about the support the UAE showed Damascus, and acknowledged that this remains a “period of transition” with many challenges. I met Mr Al Shara during the summit in an off-the-record setting, so unfortunately there's not much I can report on the details of our conversation. However, what I can say is that my impression of him, like that of his Foreign Minister Asaad Al Shibani, is a leader who genuinely wants to see his country thrive but who also knows that he faces an uphill battle. Syria this week witnessed protests due to a hike in fuel prices amid rising complaints about the lack of tangible improvements in living standards for many Syrians. But I was reminded this week that these troubles should not detract from the strides the country is making – or the joy and relief that millions of Syrians and those who love Syria feel with the end of the Assad regime.
“There was a return of hope, not only for Syrians but for the whole region (that after) great injustices and disasters a great victory can emerge”, Mr Al Shara said on stage on Tuesday.
That hope was on display in full force forty-eight hours later on another stage – this time in Damascus. Assala Nasri, Syria’s most famous contemporary singer and one of the most prominent supporters of the revolution against Al Assad, returned home after more than 15 years in exile and 16 years since performing there. Before appearing on stage on Thursday night, Assala’s voice reminded her audience at Al Fayhaa Sports Hall and millions of us watching live online that those in opposition to Al Assad in the country and those in exile had dreamed of a “tomorrow” when the country would be free. The misery of tyranny and war, and the longing caused by exile, were all pinned on a hope of a better tomorrow. Then a screen on stage declared that “tomorrow” had finally come. And there she was, on stage, with the new Syrian flag, the flag of the revolution, behind her.
Syria’s story is still being written. But this week is a reminder to keep dreaming; injustices can end and there can be new beginnings - and not only in Syria.
Next week, I'll be writing to you from the ground at the UN General Assembly in New York. Follow our coverage live on TheNationalNews.com
Stories that defined the week
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