Introduction
Many Syrian regions are witnessing a state of charged tension that threatens civil peace and the social fabric, as a result of the circulation of news and videos that, with a little reason, seem designed and directed to divide the Syrian street and stir up strife among its components.
Dangerous media escalation
After a page affiliated with businessman Rami Makhlouf, formerly close to the regime, published a post claiming to mobilise huge numbers (in an exaggerated manner) to defend what he called the “Sahel region”, an offensive video clip was circulated today, showing a person insulting the Prophet Muhammad, in an open attempt to inflame popular anger and incite against a specific religious component.
Immediate repercussions on the ground
These news and videos led to a major division within the Syrian coast, which manifested itself in a wave of popular anger, demonstrations, and violence in some streets.
There were cases of attacks on Druze students at Homs University, in addition to the circulation of sectarian and inflammatory speeches in the demonstrations, including death threats and mass targeting of a specific sect.
This serious escalation has raised deep concern among members of the targeted communities and increased fears that the situation will slide towards open societal confrontations.
Internal reactions
In the face of this escalation, several statements were issued by members of the Alawite community disavowing Rami Makhlouf’s statement and calling for restraint and calm, most recently the statement by Sheikh Ghazal Ghazal, a representative of the Supreme Islamic Council in Syria and the Diaspora.
A number of Druze sheikhs also issued similar statements, most notably that of Sheikh Youssef Jarboua, Sheikh Akl of the Druze Unitarian Muslim community in Syria, who stressed that these actions do not represent the values or morals of the Druze.
“Eyes on Syria” vision
At Eyes on Syria, we believe that this kind of news and clips are carefully orchestrated and aim to keep the Syrian street preoccupied with secondary matters and to fuel divisions in order to serve agendas that have nothing to do with the interests of Syrians.
We believe that being drawn into such rhetoric is a dangerous and unacceptable behaviour, and we call on all citizens of the country to show wisdom and prudence, and not to allow social media to turn them into fuel for strife and hatred.
We also find it unreasonable and pointless to expend our energy on a daily basis refuting every statement, denouncing every passage, and absolving ourselves of individual actions that do not represent groups or sects.
Warning against generalisation and blind anger
We affirm that blind anger, attacks on minorities, and the practice of generalisation or collective punishment only serve the enemies of society and undermine our national fabric, which has endured despite all adversities.
There are those who endeavour to keep the atmosphere charged and to bring society to the point of no return, with the aim of passing political agendas at the expense of the blood of Syrians and the future of their children.
Conclusion
Syria has been and will remain for all its people. Sensible Syrians will not allow sedition to pass again among them.
Wisdom, prudence, and faith in co-existence are the only path towards a safe homeland for all Syrians.
