Sameera Casmod | sameerac@radioislam.co.za
03 March 2025 | 11:07 CAT
2-minute read

Ramadan in post-Assad Syria: Hope, struggle and the road to justice

At a glance

• Qaanitah describes the overarching sense of hope in Syria, but food shortages, poverty, and destruction remain severe. Many displaced people return to nothing as cities lie in ruins.
• There is evidence of Assad regime’s brutality, including mass disappearances and torture. Sednaya prison stands as a grim reminder of atrocities committed. Ensuring justice while dealing with remnants of the old regime remains a challange.
• Syria’s education system struggles to accommodate returning refugees, while sanctions and economic hardships make recovery difficult.

Damascus—As Syria marks its first Ramadan without the Assad regime, the country stands at a crossroads between hope and hardship. Veteran journalist Qaanitah Hunter, reporting from Damascus, paints a vivid picture of a nation emerging from decades of oppression yet still grappling with poverty, destruction, and the lingering scars of war.

While there is a palpable sense of optimism among the people, reality presents stark challenges.

“There’s this optimism of change, there’s this hope for, you know, that the conditions may change. But at the same time, reality is very, very stark,” Hunter said during this week’s Debrief Report.

Food shortages persist, displaced families return to nothing, and entire neighbourhoods remain in ruins. In places like the Yarmouk and Jobar camps, the devastation is evident, with homes reduced to rubble and infrastructure in shambles.

One of the most haunting aspects of Syria’s past is the brutal legacy of the Assad regime. Hunter described her visit to Sednaya prison, where thousands were tortured and executed. The prison now serves as a grim monument to the regime’s atrocities, with chilling messages etched into cell walls by those who suffered. The pursuit of justice remains a pressing question: Should former regime officials be pardoned, or must they be held accountable?

Beyond the struggle for justice, the nation faces the uphill task of rebuilding. The education system is under immense strain as refugees return home, and sanctions continue to hamper economic recovery. Discussions on Syria’s future have begun, but achieving consensus remains a challenge.

Regionally, Syria’s fate is intertwined with that of its neighbours. Turkey and Jordan, both struggling with their own economic difficulties, may play crucial roles in Syria’s reconstruction. However, broader geopolitical instability, including the ongoing crisis in Gaza, casts uncertainty over the region’s future.

Despite these challenges, Syrians remain resilient. The country’s rich history, cultural heritage, and the warmth of its people make it a place worth visiting. As the world slowly turns its attention back to Syria, Hunter underscores the need for international support to help the nation heal and rebuild.

For Syria, the journey ahead is long and uncertain, but for now, hope flickers amidst the ruins.

Listen to the Debrief Report on Sabaahul Muslim with Moulana Junaid Kharsany.