Thu Dec 19 13:28:47 UTC 2024: **Damascus Christmas Celebrates Assad’s Fall, Ushers in Hope for Peace**
DAMASCUS, Syria – A palpable sense of optimism permeates Christmas celebrations in Damascus this year, following the December 8th flight of Bashar al-Assad and the collapse of his regime after more than 50 years of rule. While decorations may have been more elaborate in previous years, residents describe a deeper, more meaningful festive mood.
The streets of Bab Sharqi, near the ancient Old City, are brightly lit with Christmas trees adorning homes and businesses. The atmosphere is described as bustling and spring-like, with shopkeepers repainting, refurbishing, and proudly displaying the Free Syria flag. Celebrations for the fall of the Assad regime have given way to preparations for Christmas, New Year’s, and Orthodox Christmas.
Olga al-Muuti, owner of a local bakery, expressed her hope for peace and a chance to live with dignity after 14 years of war. Similarly, 72-year-old Akop Safarian, while decorating his home, voiced his prayer for peace in Syria and the world.
Despite the overall joy, a note of apprehension about the future remains. Carol al-Sahhaf acknowledged the happiness surrounding the regime change but also expressed a need for remembrance of those who suffered under Assad’s rule, highlighting the horrors endured in his prisons. However, she expressed confidence in Syrians’ ability to build a peaceful future.
Rawad Diop, another resident, simply expressed happiness at seeing smiles he hadn’t seen before, reflecting a widespread sense of optimism for the future. The Christmas celebrations in Damascus this year are therefore not just a religious event, but also a symbol of hope for a new era of peace and freedom in Syria.
First Piper 