Tala – the flower of Baniyas strangled by the hand of injustice
Tala was not just an ordinary girl, she was a shining soul and a walking dream. Born and raised in Baniyas, she made her childhood memories among her warm family and friends who genuinely loved her. She was the epitome of intelligence and diligence, always excelling in her studies, all the way to Homs University, where she studied pharmacy with passion and love for life. Tala was not just an outstanding student, she was a social butterfly, spreading joy wherever she went, carrying in her heart great ambitions and dreams that were waiting for tomorrow to be realised. She was preparing for the most beautiful days of her life, planning her marriage with her love Ali,but fate had another word, robbing her bright future in a moment of unforgivable injustice.
The Dream and the Unfinished Love
From a young age, Tala had a passion for science and knowledge, and her dream was to work in a field that would help others. Her academic excellence led her to Homs University, where she chose to study pharmacy, dedicating her efforts and youthful years to building a bright future. It was not only her diligence that distinguished her, but also her social spirit that made her many friends, as she was close to everyone, giving love and sincere laughter to those around her.
Tala didn’t just dream of a successful career, she dreamed of a life full of love and stability. She met Ali, the partner of her heart and life, and found in him the support and soul that complemented her. Together they were planning every detail of their marriage, filling their new home with memories and dreams, and eagerly awaiting the start of their new chapter after the end of Ramadan. Tala was living the most beautiful days of her life, filled with happiness and enthusiasm for everything that was to come, but the hand of treachery reached out to her, extinguishing her light before her dreams could shine.
Tala and her family A massacre in a neighbour’s bosom
When news started coming in about extremist groups entering Baniyas, Tala and her family felt the imminent danger. They headed to the home of their neighbours in the same building, the family of Dr. Bassam Sobh, where they gathered in a moment of fear and anticipation, clinging to the hope that the storm would pass unscathed.
But death was creeping in mercilessly. The devastation first started in their home, where the gunmen broke into their home, turning their memories and walls into rubble. Not content with destruction, they searched for souls to extinguish their light. Once they had finished spreading destruction, they headed to the neighbouring house, where Tala and her family were sheltering.
The killers entered the house like hungry monsters, without mercy or pity, and executed everyone they found in front of them. They did not distinguish between an old man or a young man, a woman or a young girl. They fired their hateful bullets at everyone. Dr Bassam Sobh and his entire family were martyred, and then the treacherous hand of treachery extended to Tala and her parents. Her mother, retired teacher Khalidia Ghanem, fell next to her father, retired teacher Mohieddine Hamama, while Tala stood between them, and her last moments were a farewell look at her parents before she was pierced by terrorist bullets.
In a single moment, an entire family’s life came to an end, dreams turned to blood, and the laughter that filled the place a few days ago turned into a heavy silence. Tala did not die alone, she left with her loved ones, but her soul will remain immortal, witnessing a crime that will not be forgotten, and wounds that will not heal.
A memory that cannot be extinguished by treachery
Tala is gone with her body, but her spirit will remain present in our hearts, every moment we remember her laughter, her dreams, and her ambitions that the treachery did not give her time to fulfil. The dust of time will not be able to obliterate her name, nor will terrorism be able to steal her memory. Tala will remain a symbol of purity assassinated by brutality, and her story will remain etched in our conscience, reminding us that innocent lives are not forgotten, and that justice, no matter how late, must prevail.
