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From love poems to saints whose love for one another was as profound as their faith, queerness is woven into the history of the Levant. In this post, we cover some of Syria’s hidden queer legacy.

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3 years ago
Culture and Heritage Social Issues Society

Al Muhajireen Neighbourhood : History & Heritage

Walking along its narrow, branching and ascending staircases, Al-Muhajireen is a unique Damascene neighborhood unlike any other. Its history stretches back to 1899 when Nazim Pasha, Damascus’ Ottoman governor at the time, decided to settle Muslims from the Greek island of Crete who immigrated as a result of sectarian violence on the island. Over time, the neighborhood developed into a blend of immigrants of various ethnic groups, mostly from the Balkans and Circassia (southwest Russia). Al-Muhajireen gained further importance after Nazim Pasha built Al-Muhajireen Palace, which later became the residence of Syria’s first elected president, Muhammad al Abid, who decided during his tenure in office (1932-1936) to build a tramway line that connected the center of Damascus to Al-Muhajireen. Overlooking the city of Damascus on Mount Qasioun, Al-Muhajireen is a mesmerizing neighborhood for locals.
3 years ago
Social Issues Society

The Art of Mockery

Known to be a prominent strength in the Syrian (and Arab) community, mockery is the act of diminishing a serious matter by making it appear feeble, trivial, or even insignificant.
3 years ago
Social Issues Society

Violence of the Currency Crisis

“I don’t know how Syrians are surviving.” People have been uttering this sentence for over two years. For over two years, the prices of goods and services have been growing,
3 years ago
Social Issues Society

Goodbyes and Uncertain Reunions: What My Syrianness Has Given Me

I remember the exact layout of the room: my grandparents in one corner, my cousins, my aunts and uncles, and a person I had been around my whole life, but
3 years ago
Culture and Heritage Social Issues Society

Plastic Surgery in Syria

Beauty lies in diversity. Syrians in particular are no strangers to beauty, thanks to an eclectic past that has birthed some of the world’s oldest metropolises. We take pride in the beauty of our people, a beauty that is diverse. However, this does not seem to be the case in today’s Syria, as women, and even men, are pressured into trying to achieve an unreachable level of perfection. In the meantime, plastic surgeons and aestheticians are making a fortune off of botched procedures.
3 years ago
History Social Issues Society

Journalism in Syria

Throughout Syria’s history, the way in which we hear news has evolved significantly, and the media’s landscape has been marked by significant shifts in journalism. The journey began in 1876
4 years ago
Aleppo Social Issues Society

The Aleppine Diary

In Aleppo's sorrowful veil, emotions banished, replaced by an eerie calm. Death's grip on the city, a haunting presence. Once vibrant, now a desolate echo, mourned in silence, a tragic tale of uncherished life.
4 years ago
Social Issues Society

Al Khattabeen: The Degrading Influence on the Self Esteem of Young Female Adults

Exploring the complex traditions of Syrian weddings, the article delves into the role of 'Khattabeen' in arranging marriages, highlighting the cultural nuances and challenges faced by women in these traditional practices.
4 years ago
Faces of Wanabqa Northern Syria

Qudsia Haj Hussein

Qudsia Haj Hussein was a pioneer of women’s education in the city of Deir ez-Zor, Syria. She overcame many obstacles and challenges to pursue her own education and to provide opportunities for other girls in her community. She was one of the first Syrian women to graduate from middle school and high school, and she became a teacher and a principal of girls’ schools in Deir ez-Zor. She was a role model and a leader who influenced the social and cultural transformation of her city. In this article, you will learn about her remarkable life story and her legacy for future generations of Syrian women.
4 years ago
Social Issues Society

They Don’t Represent Us Syrians!

We have increasingly come across this intolerant phrase that’s thrown around carelessly as though it is an undeniable fact. What are the reasons for this and what is an example you have come across yourself?
4 years ago
Social Issues Society

The Real Value of Syrian Wheat

Syrian wheat holds a special place in the country's history, economy and culture. We explore the reasons for this and the ways in which strengthening the production of Syrian wheat can make a difference in current environmental issues seen across the world.
4 years ago
Social Issues Society

Honor and Virginity: The Myths of the Hymen

Let's debunk myths and end the fear once and for all, a woman's dignity is her honesty, and there's no evidence to prove virginity, just like there isn't for the other gender (men). Here are four shocking things I heard and experienced as a Syrian woman: The 1st shock: Once, an anxious girl asked me how she could make sure she's still a "virgin". She was studying in another city and sharing a dorm room with other girls. She'd never had any sexual experiences, but she would have strange thoughts that her roommates sedated her and tore her hymen. The 2nd shock: I met a guy about a year ago, who claims that he's very open-minded and has attended several sexual education courses, so according to him, he's very aware of sexual health. Turns out he believes premarital screenings can determine a woman's virginity (a total myth). The 3rd shock: I came across a girl's post in a private- only women- Facebook group. She was freaking out because while walking on a street she had to jump over a hole in the ground. When she got home, she saw a couple drops of blood and wondered: "Am I bleeding because my hymen tore? Does that mean l am not a virgin anymore? Please, reassure me!" The 4th shock: In one of the gender-based violence workshops I used to run, I was shocked when a young man simply intervened with: "A woman who was raped is no longer suitable for marriage. She's not a virgin anymore." To my surprise, the majority of the group agreed with him.
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