After years living in fear of the Assad regime's wanted lists, many Syrians are now proudly acknowledging their past resistance as a badge of honor.
Syria's Transformation: From Fear to Pride in a Name
Syria's Transformation: From Fear to Pride in a Name
Syrains Embrace a New Identity: Wanted, Not Afraid
When Kazem Togan returned to Syria for the first time in over a decade, the experience was meant to be a simple passport check. Yet for the journalist, recently associated with opposition media, the inquiry took on a profound significance. Instead of trepidation, Togan felt joy when told by the passport control agent he was “wanted by branch 235,” the notorious intelligence branch of the former regime.
This seemingly casual exchange echoes a larger cultural shift in Syria. “Today, every Syrian asks as a matter of routine, ‘Was I wanted?’” Togan notes, highlighting how those once terrified of being named are now flaunting their past as symbols of strength and resistance. During over five decades of rule, Assad and his father instilled a climate of fear where being on a wanted list meant risking imprisonment or worse.
Now, in an unexpected twist, the label of "wanted" holds a new meaning — one that suggests courage and defiance against oppression. Syrians, who once lived in constant dread of their status, are redefining their narrative, sharing their experiences with pride on social media and in their communities.
The transition from fear to pride in holding such a designation not only reflects a desire for personal dignity but signifies a broader movement towards reclaiming identity post-civil war. In a country where fear lingered like a shadow, the ability for citizens to ask openly whether they "had a name" symbolizes a newfound resilience and hope for the future.
This seemingly casual exchange echoes a larger cultural shift in Syria. “Today, every Syrian asks as a matter of routine, ‘Was I wanted?’” Togan notes, highlighting how those once terrified of being named are now flaunting their past as symbols of strength and resistance. During over five decades of rule, Assad and his father instilled a climate of fear where being on a wanted list meant risking imprisonment or worse.
Now, in an unexpected twist, the label of "wanted" holds a new meaning — one that suggests courage and defiance against oppression. Syrians, who once lived in constant dread of their status, are redefining their narrative, sharing their experiences with pride on social media and in their communities.
The transition from fear to pride in holding such a designation not only reflects a desire for personal dignity but signifies a broader movement towards reclaiming identity post-civil war. In a country where fear lingered like a shadow, the ability for citizens to ask openly whether they "had a name" symbolizes a newfound resilience and hope for the future.
