Sun Jan 12 17:19:49 UTC 2025: ## Western Media’s Focus on Handshake Misses the Mark in Post-Assad Syria

**DAMASCUS** – The recent visit by German and French foreign ministers to Syria has sparked controversy, not over significant political issues, but over a handshake – or rather, the lack thereof. Syrian interim leader Ahmad al-Sharaa’s decision to greet German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock with a nod instead of a handshake, in accordance with Muslim religious norms, has been framed by some Western media as a “snub” and even a “scandal.”

This focus, argues a Syrian-American author in a recent Al Jazeera op-ed, misses the crucial issues facing Syria. The piece criticizes Western media for imposing its cultural norms as a measure of a leader’s “moderation,” echoing critiques of Western biases in representing Muslim societies. The author points out the hypocrisy of this approach, contrasting the media’s outrage with the acceptance shown towards similar non-physical greetings from British royalty.

While Western media debates the symbolism of a handshake, Syrians face far more pressing concerns. The country is grappling with the aftermath of a 13-year civil war and decades of authoritarian rule under Bashar al-Assad. Over half the population is displaced, and the vast majority lives below the poverty line, facing extreme shortages of food, water, and electricity. The author shares harrowing personal accounts of family and friends who suffered under Assad’s regime, highlighting the immense trauma and suffering experienced by the Syrian people.

The op-ed concludes that the true “litmus test” for Syria’s new leadership should be its ability to deliver democracy, rebuild infrastructure, foster unity, and protect citizens’ rights, not adherence to Western social customs. The author urges Western media to prioritize Syrian voices and perspectives, instead of imposing its own cultural standards and biases. The focus should be on Syria’s recovery and the needs of its people, not the minutiae of diplomatic protocol.

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