In Dearborn, Michigan, Syrian Americans are experiencing a blend of joy and disbelief. After decades, the oppressive rule of the Assad family in Syria has come to an unexpected end, leaving many hopeful for a safer future. Nizam Abazid and Rama Alhoussaini, among others, are now contemplating trips back to their homeland, Syria, a prospect that seemed impossible just weeks ago.
Abazid, who runs a cellphone business in Dearborn, has not visited Syria since 1998 due to the oppressive tactics of the Assad regime. He recalls being detained without explanation during a 1990 visit. “When I was kidnapped from the airport, my family didn’t even know … what it was about,” he shared with The Associated Press. Despite holding dual citizenship, he plans to wait a few months before returning to ensure the situation stabilizes.
In contrast, Rama Alhoussaini, who left Syria at age six, is eager to introduce her children to family members they have never met. The fall of Assad’s government has opened new possibilities for Syrian expatriates. “And it’s such a surreal moment to even say that out loud, because I never thought that I would see this day,” she shared emotionally.
The rapid insurgency, led by Ahmad al-Sharaa, took less than two weeks to dismantle the Assad regime. Despite disavowing previous connections with al-Qaida, al-Sharaa remains a contentious figure, especially for the U.S., which continues to regard him as a terrorist and cautions against travel to Syria, where diplomatic relations remain severed since 2012.
Though the Syrian government’s collapse is a cause for celebration, Western nations, including the U.S., are hesitant to endorse the return of refugees until the political landscape becomes clearer. European leaders have also expressed concerns about the safety of returning refugees, a sentiment not shared by Abazid and his brother, who are less apprehensive about visiting Syria now. “When Assad’s forces were in power, my fate would’ve been in jail or beheaded,” he remarked, relieved at the new developments.
The Detroit area is home to a significant Syrian American community, part of Michigan’s large Arab American population. As news of Assad’s downfall reached them, celebrations erupted, mirroring the jubilation of Syrians worldwide. The anticipation of visiting Syria, either permanently or temporarily, grows as people like Alhoussaini’s father consider reuniting with family and honoring ancestral ties.
Reflecting on the newfound freedom, Alhoussaini pointed out the contrast between Syrian and American experiences of expression. “You can say what you want. You can go out into the street and protest whoever you want,” she noted, highlighting the freedoms that Americans take for granted but were denied to Syrians under the Assad regime.
For many like Abazid and Alhoussaini, the fall of Assad represents more than a political shift; it symbolizes a chance to reconnect with their roots and envision a future without fear.
“`
—
Read More Michigan News
