Black Flag
http://aramhamath.blogspot.com.au/2013/11/black-flag.html?spref=tw
I'm sure many Syrians outside in the diaspora, only able to follow
events on the ground through the medium of the internet, have noted,
with no small amount of worry, the seeming lack of Syrian
revolutionary
flags, and the prominence of various types of "Islamic banners", be it
those brandished by rebel brigades or in whatever peaceful
demonstrations still occur in Syria despite it being a time of war now
(sadly).
While I am certainly not an "Islamist" in the conventional sense, I
would not consider myself a secularist or liberal either (I'm still
working it out), so popular religious sentiment doesn't bother me (on
the contrary) as it might do for more secular Syrians, be they inside
or
outside the country. Regardless, it worried me as well initially,
because it raised the possibility that the original goals of the
revolution were being lost, that of freedom for Syrians of all
stripes,
to be replaced by a widespread call for an "Islamic state" (a vague
concept even for its most vociferous proponents, who haven't bothered
to
flesh out what it means or entails).
I recently spent a week, working in liberated areas in Idlib and
Aleppo
governorates. I cannot say that I saw many revolutionary flags, and
various flags and banners with the shahadah were much more prominent,
at
rebel checkpoints or in people's shops or houses. In a large town near
Aleppo, the black flag, as I call it, was everywhere. On the walls of
people's houses and shops, or flying from lamp-posts and so on.
I would tell you a bit more about the town. During the fight against
the
regime, most of the population fled, with someone telling me how it
was
reduced from 25,000 to 2,000, with FSA rebel fighters hiding in the
hills on the outskirts of the town. Despite great odds, and precious
little help, they managed to liberate the whole town, and capture the
town's huge military base for themselves. Thankfully, the townspeople
returned, and the population has now swelled to 50,000, what with the
obvious influx of refugees.
I'm sure you can imagine how difficult and hellish that period of
their
lives must have been. Thankfully the town is tens of kilometres from
the
front against the regime in Aleppo, and the town is entirely liberated
and free. While obviously the situation is far from perfect, it is in
better shape than most other places, praise God.
The Syrian revolution started out as peaceful protests to try and
induce
this rotten regime to change, to allow for the freedoms they have
denied
us for so long. In response, Assad has turned the country into fire
and
ash, sending it into hell. To me, the revolution is now about
something
much more profound than simple political reforms and basic freedoms,
although these are obviously still essential goals. It has now become
a
struggle about who we are as a people, and what values we hold. Are we
slaves to willingly accept the boot of the thugs and murderers, who
happily rape women and butcher children with knives, in response for
mere "security"? Or are we to live as free men who refuse to
compromise
our dignity, and our belief in the sanctity of the lives of people
whose
only crime was to speak their minds?
When the revolution has now turned into a struggle over the most basic
or even primordial rights (for lack of a better word), what will
Syrians
hold on to? Islam's affirmation of the sanctity of human life is a
direct affront to this rotten regime, and to all the other rotten
governments of the region, all of whom happily torture and execute
unceasingly. In such an existential struggle, are we really surprised
that Syrians would turn towards their religion even more than before
(Especially in the conservative towns and villages of northern Syria)?
I met and spoke with many people of all stripes, and not once did I
hear
or get the impression that they were now fighting merely to impose an
Islamic state - it still remains a struggle for freedom and dignity,
albeit now with much greater urgency. Young men, younger than me, who
are married with young children, all go and fight regardless of the
risk
to themselves. I met someone who fought on the frontline 4 days after
getting married, and lost an eye, and he simply, pardon the language,
didn't
give a fuck.
Interestingly, after having befriended some people and becoming
"friends" on facebook, one thing which is noticeable is that the
photos
or posts they have on their pages earlier on in the revolution sport
the
tricolour revolutionary flag, but more recent ones feature the black
"tawhid" banner - in the process, they hadn't suddenly become
"fanatics", I can assure you.
After my limited time there, with hours and hours of conversation, I
finally understand. The one souvenir I took from Syria is pictured
below, which I will hang on the wall of my flat alongside the
traditional revolutionary flag. It has earned its place.
ADDENDUM
One more thing, I saw the supposed "Al-Qaeda" flag sported by ordinary
Syrians, those who absolutely despise the ISIS / Da3esh bastards -
remember that that particular flag is an actual banner of the prophet,
so don't automatically assume that anyone who waves it is
automatically
an ISIS supporter.
Posted by Khalil Abdullahat 22:00
