Opinion
Will You Allow People to Drink Alcohol?
By: Adham Sharkawy
Fifty years of Baathist rule!
Forty thousand were killed by Hafez al-Assad in Hama alone.
Half a million killed by his son!
Three million displaced across the globe!
They were bombed with chemical weapons and barrel bombs, struck in refugee camps, and crushed under the misery of displacement.
More than 200,000 disappeared—only God knows their fate.
When the gates of “Sednaya Prison” opened, the world discovered that all the literature humanity has written about prisons falls short of capturing even a single chapter of its horrors.
Yet, Bashar al-Assad remained president, not sparking fear in anyone in the West.
In the East, he was invited to summits as a head of state, addressing us about Israel’s crimes in Gaza—crimes not much different from what he committed against his own people.
Still, he caused no alarm, even though everyone knew he was one of the bloodiest tyrants of modern times.
He safeguarded the borders of the occupying state with utmost efficiency and traded on resistance—a resistance he never practiced in the Golan, not even with a single bullet, in plain sight for everyone to see.
Even his allies whispered that he betrayed their coordinates, realizing too late that his only allegiance was to his throne. They neither gained the nation’s support nor were they spared from his treachery.
But until the morning of his flight, he caused no alarm for anyone!
Then the revolution triumphed.
The rightful owners returned to their homes, families, and memories.
They were incredibly civilized, conducting one of the most merciful liberations in modern history!
They did not attack the minority that tormented them for fifty years.
They did not destroy shrines or prevent anyone from practicing their rituals.
And yet, the planet panicked!
Damascus became a hub for diplomats from all corners of the earth. Everyone wanted to know how they would govern their country!
They were the talk of television channels, dominating headlines.
The BBC conducted an interview with Ahmed Al-Sharaa, bombarding him with questions that reeked of condescension.
The man was composed in his responses, diplomatic when cornered to provide answers that could be weaponized against him. He seemed well-prepared, likely using the Idlib period to organize his thoughts and polish his answers.
But the two most revolting questions were:
“Will you allow women to learn?”
“Will you allow people to drink alcohol?”
Suddenly, this world became deeply concerned about Syrian women’s right to education!
But where was this concern for their right to live?
For thirteen years, they were bombed with barrel bombs and chemical weapons!
For thirteen years, they were widowed and saw their children murdered!
For thirteen years, they were imprisoned and raped!
Not a single soul in this world took action.
No feminist movements convened a single conference for them.
Europe did not rally to their cause as it did for Ukraine.
Even mourning was too much to grant them—no one shed a tear for them!
Now, however, this world is gravely concerned, asking: Will Syrian women have the right to education?
This deceitful West did not weep for Afghan women as they were killed by American forces. But as soon as America withdrew from Afghanistan, the world suddenly discovered that Afghan women needed their rights protected!
And who would they protect them from?
From their fathers, brothers, husbands, and sons!
Did anyone in this depraved West cry for the women of Gaza as they’ve been annihilated for over 440 days?
But as soon as the war ends, the women of Gaza will suddenly have rights that must be demanded!
Will you allow people to drink alcohol?
Where were you when the butcher drank their blood before your very eyes?
Where were you when men tasted humiliation in prisons?
Where were you when women drank bitterness and sorrow?
Where were you when children choked on their tears?
You left them to their oppressors for fifty years, allowing them to do as they pleased.
When they revolted, you sent your fleets to kill them and your forces to guard the oil refineries!
And now you come asking them about women’s education and drinking alcohol?
This West has no shame!
