Muawiyah Syasneh, at 16, sparked Syria’s revolution with graffiti criticizing President Assad, leading to his torture and the civil war that followed. Now 30, he reflects on the journey from protestor to fighter, expressing hope for future generations who have known only conflict.
At the age of 16, Muawiyah Syasneh initiated the Syrian revolution by expressing his discontent with President Bashar al-Assad through graffiti on a school wall. The act of defiance, consisting of the words “It’s your turn, Doctor,” led to his arrest and torture, ultimately igniting protests that culminated in the Syrian civil war. Now, at 30 years old and a father, Muawiyah reflects on how this singular act of teenage rebellion snowballed into a nationwide fight for freedom.
Standing in front of the very wall where it all began, he recounts the brutality he endured, stating, “We spent 45 days under torture in prison for these words.” Despite the trauma, Muawiyah has returned to his homeland, having fought alongside the Free Syrian Army and participated in the monumental seizure of Daraa and Damascus from regime forces. He acknowledges, “We are proud of what we did because adults couldn’t do it,” demonstrating the significant role young people played in the uprising.
The revolution, ignited in 2011, was amplified by the suffering inflicted by oppressive laws and police checkpoints, which Muawiyah and his peers sought to challenge. The phrase that started it all symbolized the demand for justice and reform, provoking widespread protests across Syria after a violent crackdown on the initial demonstrators. Despite enduring years of war and personal loss, including the death of his father, Muawiyah remains hopeful for the next generation.
As his community attempts to rebuild amid the ruins, Muawiyah expresses a deeper concern for the youth of Syria, articulating his desire that they escape the suffering he and his contemporaries faced. He articulates this longing, saying, “I pray for them – that they won’t face the torture we faced.” It is this hope for a better future that motivates his continuing resolve to finish the revolution he began as a child.
The Syrian revolution began in early 2011, primarily rooted in public dissatisfaction with the Assad regime’s oppressive rule. The movement was sparked by the arrest and torture of teenagers, including Muawiyah Syasneh, following their graffiti that criticized the regime. This incident catalyzed widespread protests initially focused on civil liberties and social justice. Daraa, a small city in southern Syria, became a focal point for the uprising, ultimately leading to a brutal civil war that has lasted for over a decade, resulting in immense human suffering.
Muawiyah Syasneh’s journey from a teenage graffiti artist to a combatant in the Syrian revolution underscores the profound and often unforeseen impact of seemingly small acts of defiance in oppressive regimes. As he reflects on his role in sparking the movement and his hopes for future generations, it becomes evident that despite the personal and collective tragedies endured, the fight for freedom and justice in Syria remains a vital endeavor for those still longing for a safe and secure homeland.
Original Source: www.independent.co.uk
