Mirthful mingling in Syria
Nearly two months after their liberation from a half-century of dictatorship, Syrians appear to be shaping their future as much as the country鈥檚 new de facto ruler, former Islamist rebel leader Ahmed al-Sharaa. And many are doing it through laughter.
Since the fall of the Assad regime Dec. 8, a collective of 20 comedians has toured the country entertaining thousands of people in various venues with uncensored humor. They are taking advantage of Syria鈥檚 newfound freedom of expression and equality. And their audiences are as diverse as the comedy collective itself, reflecting Syria鈥檚 ethnic and religious groups.
鈥淚f we can laugh together, we can live together,鈥� Malke Mardinali, co-founder of the Styria Comedy Club, told New Lines Magazine. One audience member said about the show, 鈥淲e feel at home here. We can laugh about anything and as much as we want 鈥� no one is watching us anymore.鈥�
In caf茅s and street markets, on campuses or public transportation, a country at the heart of the Middle East is having a grand moment of inclusiveness and is rediscovering a national identity briefly expressed during the 2011 Arab Spring protests. Dozens of Syrian writers, artists, and academics, for example, have signed a petition asking for 鈥渢he restoration of fundamental public freedoms鈥� and that a new government 鈥� not yet fully formed 鈥� would not 鈥渋nterfere in people鈥檚 customs.鈥� Their concern stems from Mr. al-Sharaa鈥檚 appointment of some officials who seek to impose strict Islamic rules even on non-Muslims.
鈥淲hat is new and gives a sense of hope is that the fear barrier has been smashed in Syria, and from this development, there can be no going back,鈥� wrote Shahira Salloum, managing editor of the Al-Araby Al-Jadeed news publication.
Mr. al-Sharaa, whose rebel group dispatched the old regime, may be getting the message. Last week, he promised a national dialogue to help write a constitution and prepare for elections. He also wants to 鈥渇orm a broad transitional government, representative of Syria鈥檚 diversity.鈥� He has also heard that message聽from diplomats visiting from countries that range from Qatar to Germany.
鈥淪yrians have already proved they can do the impossible,鈥� wrote Oz Katerji, a British Lebanese freelance journalist, in Foreign Policy. 鈥淲hy should they fear rebuilding Syria as a democratic pluralist nation state?鈥�
For those Syrians now laughing in comedy clubs, fear may be the last thing on their mind.
