5733 Candidates to the People’s Assembly!

I guess this means that we have a free, fair and open democratic system. Syrians of the world (because only the world will have you now) rejoice!

And if that’s not sufficient reason for jubilation, let’s celebrate the President’s recent assertion to the Saudi newspaper al-Jazeerah that only Syrian courts can try Syrian suspects in connection to the Hariri assassination. For this must mean that we have a just and impartial judiciary system. Thousands of people in Old Damascus must feel quite safe knowing that. They have no reason to worry about anything. For when leonine justice prevails, that’s about the only thing you’ll have to worry about.

Rise up Syrians!

This is not about politics. This is not about who’s in and who’s out, who’s in power and who’s in jail or exile, who’s rich and who’s poor. This is about the love of a city and of country, this is about what makes us all tick, what gives us all a soul, what gives us an anchor in this turbulent world. This is about protecting the last vestiges of our historical identity. If we give up on Damascus now, we will become like drifting hollowed logs in a raging river, with nothing to look forward to but an approaching abyss.

Sign this petition to save Old Damascus. Have your say on this sordid affair. This is the least we can do.

Update: People protest against government plans on public radio.

The Electoral Game in an Authoritarian State!

What is the purpose of holding parliamentary elections or any sort of elections in authoritarian state? To deny that the state is authoritarian of course, and to be able to claim that the ruling regime does indeed represent the will of the people, that it is, therefore, legitimate. This claim to legitimacy becomes even more necessary when the state faces a crisis, especially when the crisis is directly related to the foolhardy policies enacted by the regime. Continue reading “The Electoral Game in an Authoritarian State!” →

The Dying of Old Damascus!

Despite ample protests by civil society advocates, current residents and international NGOs, the Syrian authorities are said to move forward with plans to destroy the last pieces of Old Damascus that remain just outside the Old City Walls, especially the area known as Souq al-Manakhliyyah. Should this indeed take place, thousands of Damascene families will be thrown out of their dwellings with little or no compensation, and a piece of history will perish forever. Unless we can bring prompt international attention to this matter, soon there will be nothing to protest, as we will all be faced with a fait accomplit. Continue reading →