Has Syria lost all its legitimacy? Is it a regime too brutal, too far gone to be saved? According to CNN Syria is at a loss as of late, and although opposition is quickly rising up, over 3,000 lives have been lost in light of the recent government crackdowns. Sadly, this number may be much lower than the actual figure, because a lot of international journalism is restricted in many parts of this violent country. Food is scarce and water is running dry as people are frantically searching for a different answer. An answer did come to them in the form of a song, however, by Syrian American artist Malek Jandali. Jandali wrote a beautiful song called “Watani Ana” about his beloved homeland, saying nothing more than:
“I am my homeland, and my homeland is me,
The fire in my heart burns with love for you,
Oh my homeland, when will I see you free?
When the sun rises with virtue in your sky,
When the pen writes of loyalty and love,
When the land is watered with the blood
Of Martyrs and the brave,
And all people shout,
Freedom to mankind, freedom to mankind!”
These lyrics are felt universally by Syrians, Jandali told CNN, but apparently not for all. Days after he performed Watani Ana at a protest, his parents’ home was ransacked, and his 72 year-old mother and father were beaten relentlessly and told “Let this be a lesson to you. Your son needs to know how to behave, he is making fun of us.” It is widely believed this was an act by the government, expressing their contempt for the dissent Jandali was exhibiting, but the government always attributes these acts to extremist gangs. The fact that such a peaceful and optimistic song is being oppressed is both shocking and terrifying. It brings up many questions of what rights, if any, are being utilized by Syrians.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qAKZ-Avn4I
No comments:
Post a Comment