Hundreds of Syrian Canadians gathered in front of Calgary city hall on Sunday, cheering, dancing, singing and praying for a free Syria.
After nearly 14 years of civil war and more than 50 years of rule by the Assad family, the Syrian government led by Bashar al-Assad fell over the weekend.
Many Syrians in Calgary, like Sam Nammoura, say they don’t believe it.
“I never felt free until yesterday,” Nammoura exclaimed. “The first thing that always comes to our mind is that we can say this? Can we say that? You have to watch what you say here… because you are always worried that someone will get hurt at home.”
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Others like Fatima Alokda and her father are full of joy.
“Today is a big day for the Syrian people,” Alokda said. “The dictator has officially fallen, after fourteen years.”
Many who have come to Alberta over the past decade say that while Canada is now their home, they hope to visit friends and family back in Syria, when it is safe to do so.
“We cannot know right now because there are still … there are still things that need to be fixed,” explained Alokda. “But we plan to visit again, we will see our family.”
Throughout their stay in Canada, without hope for the future, they are grateful for the kindness shown to them.
“We will never forget what Canada has done for us,” said Alokda. “Canada means a lot to us.”
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