Antwerp (Brussels Morning Newspaper): Farhan Al Mufreh, a shop owner in Antwerp, celebrated the fall of Assad’s regime with baklava. Artino Van Damas, who just had surgery, was happy about the peaceful changes and talked to his family. Sally Ghannoum, a former restaurant owner and now a councilor, is hopeful for Syria’s future, even though some people are still worried.
Farhan Al Mufreh, a 42-year-old shop owner in Antwerp, celebrated the recent news from Syria by displaying a sign reading “Syria is free” and treating his customers to baklava. Originally from Raqqa, which was once the capital of ISIS, Farhan fled Syria in 2015 and has since built a new life in Belgium with his family. He expressed hope for a brighter future, reflecting on the significant changes back home and the newfound freedom to speak openly.
How do Syrians in Antwerp feel about Assad’s fall?
Artino Van Damas, who just had surgery, is upset that he can’t follow the news in Syria. He is happy that the recent changes happened without violence. Artino talked to his brother for the first time since 2012, and they both cried. He called his uncle in Damascus to tell him about Assad being gone, and at first, his uncle didn’t believe it until he heard celebrations. Artino feels hopeful about Syria’s future and thinks they can handle any new challenges.
In 2015, Sally Ghannoum and her family left Syria because of the war and opened a Syrian restaurant in Antwerp, which they have now closed. Sally is now a councilor for N-VA in Deurne. She is hopeful about Syria’s future after Assad’s departure and believes that different groups can live together peacefully, even though some minorities still feel worried about what will happen next.
