This post is simply a response to the ridiculous remarks being made by reporters and western media about Syrians in the context of the invasion of Ukraine; we advise you to look into it. Please don’t take the post out of context- no racism or superiority/nationalist sentiment is intended, unlike the reporters whose comments sadly reflect the general ideas people in the west have about us.

Special thanks to member of the community Ali Al Haj who helped provide some insightful information Graphics: @nourxahabi Fifth in our series of Syria’s religious makeup: the Ismaili Muslims. We aim to educate ourselves and our fellow Syrians on the history and communities of our country. Misinformation often grows vastly and knowledge about one another is a vital way to achieve coexistence and move forward. Ismailism in Syria dates back to the year 806 AD. Centralized in Syria’s west by the Coastal Mountains, Ismailis form large minorities in the governorates of Hama and Tartus. Historically stemming from Shia Islam, it shares much with mainstream Islam but is also distinct in its practices and history. Syria boasts one of the largest Ismaili communities worldwide, and today, the community likely forms the 6th largest religious group in the country. It is the smallest Islamic-related sect in Syria following the Sunnis, Alawites, Druze & Twelver Shias.

According to the English Language Proficiency Index, Syria is listed in the very low proficiency category. Amongst all Arabic speaking countries in this (low proficiency) category, Syria fares the best, sitting at 89/112, and surpassing Yemen, Libya, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Sudan, and Jordan. However, Syria is far behind Lebanon (34th) & Tunisia (52nd). English, French, and Russian are taught in Syria. Despite that, on an educational and societal level, Syria lacks proficiency in foreign languages. Why is that? Here is a look at the history of teaching foreign languages in Syria.

Another epidemic in Syria is the immense rise of undiagnosed Generalized Anxiety Disorder, a disorder whose severity is unfortunately underestimated and impacting our people on both personal and collective levels as a result of daily lived realities during the war and until today.

Fourth in our series of Syria’s religious makeup: the Sunni Muslims. This article delves into the early islamic era in Syria (commenced by two powerful Sunni dynasties, the Umayyad and the Abbasid), as well as the incredibly diverse nature of the many Islamic dynasties that have come to rule our land from 634-1919 AD. While the vast majority were Sunni, about half of them were in fact non Arab and have dominated Syria’s Sunni Islamic history. This plays a massive role in shaping the modern day demographics of Syrian Sunnis, in addition to refugees and their descendants who have settled in Syria, such as Iraqis and Palestinians. As the majority, Sunnis have played key roles in the development of Syria’s political and social fabric particularly during our country’s establishment as a modern state. Syria was key to the establishment of Sunni Islam as a powerful social and political entity in the world, as Damascus was the capital of the first Islamic Empire - the Umayyad Empire - which spanned from Northwest Africa to modern day Pakistan in the east, from the Southern Arabian Peninsula to the Caucasus region, as well as modern Spain and Portugal. Often many of us conflate Islamic rule in Syria with Arabs, yet forget that in fact, the majority were non Arab Islamic dynasties. Sunni Islam has also dominated Islamic history in Syria.

Syria's segregated education system lacks discourse on the social impact. Studies show coeducation fosters equality, breaks stereotypes, and enhances understanding. Do walls truly ensure safety or hinder learning equality?

The story of a revolutionary Damascene woman. Nazik Al Abid reminds us how damaging patriarchal oppressive customs hinder us from any progress, how feminism not only empowers women, but creates a just society. Her struggle for a better Syria, which largely was achieved at the time, did not come without the pointing fingers of insecure men and women who were too intimidated by her. We remember her legacy today with the current state of Syria as we have much to improve and many voices and issues that have been ignored.

Third in our series of Syria’s religious makeup: the Christians. We aim to educate ourselves and our fellow Syrians on the history and communities of our country. Misinformation often grows vastly and knowledge about one another is a vital way to achieve coexistence & move forward. This article delves into the indigeneity of Christianity in Syria, a cradle of the faith. Christianity came to be in the Levant, at a time when Syria was under Roman rule. The language spoken at the time by inhabitants was Aramaic. When the Roman empire split, Syria was an important center of the Eastern Roman Empire, which became known as the Byzantine Empire that was heavily influenced by Greek culture and language. It was in Byzantine Syria that Christianity flourished amongst an Aramaic and Greek speaking population, later spreading worldwide. In order to understand Syria’s Christians today, we need to go back to when Syria was referred to as Aram and understand the ways Aramaic still lives amongst us as a result of its preservation through Christianity. As one of the few Middle Eastern nations with a prominent Christian community, and as one of the oldest Christian communities of the world, Syria’s Christians have left their mark on every aspect of Syrian life from politics and education, to the cultural and artistic scenes. The community is diverse in its sects and ethnic identities, with the 3 largest sects being branches of the Church of Antioch: the Greek Orthodox, Greek Melkite Catholics (the names of both reflecting the Byzantine rite heritage), in addition to the Syriac Orthodox Church. Other prominent churches of Syriac rites include Syriac Catholics, Maronites, and the Assyrian/Chaldean churches, in addition to the large Armenian communities mainly based in Aleppo. Historically a majority, the community has gradually shrunk in size, and today form < 10% of Syria, the 3rd largest religious group after the Sunnis & Alawites

Second in our series of Syria’s religious makeup: the Jews. We aim to educate ourselves and our fellow Syrians on the history and communities of our country. Misinformation often grows vastly and knowledge about one another is a vital way to achieve coexistence and move forward. Syria is part of a region considered to be the cradle of Judaism. Syrian Jews like their fellow Levantine Jews in Lebanon and Palestine form one of, if not, the oldest Jewish communities worldwide. Centred mainly in Damascus and Aleppo, members of this Abrahamic faith were integral to Syria’s cultural image and history. From some of the oldest synagogues worldwide in Aleppo & Jobar (Damascus suburb), to a stunning legacy of rich material culture that still lives on in Old Damascus. Tensions following the partitioning of Palestine, pockets of sectarianism, and ignorance resulted in a community that began to shrink since the late 1800s, culminating to their disappearance in Syria unfortunately today. In the diaspora, while strongly assimilating in their adoptive homes, they hold strongly to their Syrian heritage.

Suicide is a complex and tragic phenomenon that affects many people in Syria. It is often misunderstood and stigmatized by cultural and religious factors that prevent people from seeking help. This article explores the causes and consequences of suicide in Syria, and how we can create a more supportive and compassionate society for those who struggle with suicidal thoughts.

First in our series of Syria’s religious makeup: the Druze. We aim to educate ourselves and our fellow Syrians on the history and communities of our country. Misinformation often grows vastly and knowledge about one another is a vital way to achieve coexistence and move forward. The Druze faith is a syncretic monotheistic faith that is also esoteric and largely secretive. While the faith has some connections to Abrahamic religions and is often mistakenly linked to Islam, today it is a distinct faith with distinct practices, and almost all Druze do not identify as Muslims. Roughly half of the worldwide Druze population is located in Syria where they form the fourth or fifth largest religious group in the country (3-4%), (following Sunni Muslims, Alawites & Christians, preceding Shia Muslims & Ismailis (however they may possibly replace the Druze today as 4th largest, placing the Druze in 5th place)) Edit: Druze are also located in Northern Jordan forming 0.5-1% of the country. This places them in the light pink category on the map with Idlib Governorate.

The vineyards of Syria recover the ancient local practices of winemaking in the region, persisting even through the war, a testament to the continuity of Syrians.