The Ecstasy is Over, Reality Kicks In: Rebuilding Syria Starts With You
Three weeks have passed since the fall of the Assad regime. This was a moment of great triumph and relief for many. But as the celebrations end, we must face a clear truth: the hard work of rebuilding our homeland begins now. And it starts with you.
The crimes of the Assad regime are undeniable. The devastation it caused over more than half a century is unmatched. Yet, we must accept that blaming Assad for all our problems is no longer enough. If we are serious about moving forward, we must look at ourselves.
Facing Our Own Flaws
We have always avoided facing uncomfortable truths about our society and ourselves. We are quick to point fingers at others. At the same time, we deny the same flaws in ourselves.
For example:
I might steal a power line.
I might bribe an official to lie and steal someone else’s rights.
I might accept bribes to distort facts.
I might lie to people for personal gain.
Despite this, my neighbour is always the corrupt one. My friend is the one taking bribes. The people in the next neighbourhood are the liars. This hypocrisy only leads to further decline and breakdown.
If we want to make progress, we must admit these flaws and face them directly. Corruption, favouritism, racism, classism, and sectarianism are not just forced on us; they are deeply rooted within us. We cannot ignore these issues. We cannot blame others, whether it’s the West, neighbouring countries, or even each other.
Real progress begins with the courage to admit our mistakes. It requires the humility to accept them. Only by taking responsibility for these truths can we begin to address them. Only then can we find a way for genuine change.
A New Mindset for Rebuilding
Admitting our flaws is not a sign of weakness. It is a necessary step towards strength. It frees us from the harmful cycle of denial and blame. This allows us to focus on solutions. We must stop pointing fingers and start asking: How can we, as individuals and as a society, change? If we continue to see ourselves as always victims, progress will be hard to achieve.
Rebuilding needs more than just policies or infrastructure. It demands a change in mindset. This means:
Letting go of our biases.
Confronting favouritism and injustice.
Relearning the values of fairness, inclusion, accountability, and responsibility.
Embracing diversity.
Respecting different perspectives.
Overcoming the divisions that have held us back for so long.
The time has come to stop looking for someone to blame. It’s time to start taking responsibility for our future. The blame game will not build the basis of a better homeland. Only hard work, self-reflection, and teamwork can do that.
Let us turn a new page. Let us be free from the excuses of the past. Let us write a new story for ourselves. Admitting and accepting our flaws is not the end of the road; it is the beginning of progress. The path ahead will not be easy, but it is ours to define. The responsibility rests on us, and we must start now.
