Although we are of one country, most Syrians know very little about one another—each others’ history, sects, or even how people in different regions grow up or think. The estrangement among Syrians is not only natural but a consequence of years of isolation, obscurity, and fear of others. But could this estrangement serve a positive purpose?

What Is the Reason Behind the Syria-Tearing Conflict?

Sectarian and political conflicts are not the only ones in Syria; the divisions run deeper, stemming from an accumulated history of suppression, lack of dialogue, exclusion of certain groups, and fear of difference. Diversity turns into conflict when there is a lack of open space for dialogue. And what we don’t know, we fear—and what we fear, we fight.  

When Does Conflict Become Positive? 

In sociology, conflict is not always viewed negatively; on the contrary, it can be the very force that breaks down barriers within a community and compels individuals to face their problems instead of running away from them. Conflict, conceptually, can mark the start of fundamental change, a restructuring of relationships, and a deeper understanding of identity and diversity.

Lewis Coser, the American sociologist, believed that conflict is not inherently evil. On the contrary, and according to his theory, societies that suppress disagreements in the name of unity merely bury their problems instead of resolving them. 

Coser explained that conflict brings hidden tensions to the surface rather than allowing them to explode suddenly, and it forces people to face their issues instead of running away from them. Eventually, this confrontation creates a new form of solidarity — born after individuals face their disagreements with honesty. 

 This means that conflict within communities is not the end of the world, but a possible beginning of a deeper dialogue and more honest relationships.  

The Syrian Conflict: A Chance for Acquainting not Hatred 

Despite the ugliness of the war, something is happening quietly; Syrians are starting to ask: What happened to the Sunnis? Who was tortured, killed, or imprisoned? Who are the Alawites? What is the Druze narrative? Why do the Kurds have their own particularity? Despite the wounds, we are reopening the book of identity, page by page, and we might discover that we are diverse and not enemies. 

The New Syrian Identity: From Pain a Meaning Arises

When we come to know each other, we can begin to build a genuine country. The next Syria should embrace its diversity, not replicate the past. Today, understanding one another is not a luxury but a necessity for survival. What is happening, despite its cruelty, may be a chance for us to redraw the map of our homeland with all its components. Diversity is not a threat— it is our true wealth.