The FSA’s Zubaida Al-Meeki

Kick-Ass Woman of the Week:

Many of my friends have traveled and lived in different places around the world, from the US to Europe. I remember that whenever I called them, most of them would say how far away they felt. Yesterday’s protests in Amman, Jordan, my home, made me feel that way more than ever. As I continue to wrap my head around these events (by that I mean put my many thoughts into words), of course my Twitter feed continues to be filled with other ongoing stories not just from Jordan, but from around the Middle East.

As I scrolled through the many tweets, one caught my attention, sharing a story out of Syria that gave me the uplifting boost I was looking for before I headed to bed last night. I had found my kick-ass woman of the week, and this one was definitely deserving of the title.

Zubaida Al-Meeki’s story just recently came to light a few weeks ago. She became the first female officer to announce defection from President Bashar Al-Assad’s army. Al-Meeki is an Alawite originally from the Occupied Golan Heights. Formerly a General in the Army, she describes the atrocities and crimes being committed by the regime as going against her beliefs and principles. As soon as the town she was in, Bibila, was seized by the Free Syrian Army, she approached the nearest checkpoint and told opposition forces that she wanted to join the fight against Assad to protect the Syrian people.

An Alawite, a woman, and a General in Assad’s army. She left many of the FSA fighters dumbfounded and suspicious when she first approached them, but she proved them all wrong.
“The revolution gave dignity to the Syrian people and gave minorities a sense of belonging to one country. All of the sects in Syria have suffered so much under this regime,” she says.

With her people and her country as her source of inspiration, Al-Meeki now has the job of training those with little or no military experience join the fight with the FSA.

Al-Meeki, to me, is a model FSA member, not just because she has become a symbol of female FSA members, but because she sees the Syrian population as a single entity that cannot be divided according to sect or religious affiliation. It is this goal that will hopefully help the FSA achieve the goals of a liberated and just Syria.

Until next time…

A Tribute to Activist Fatima Saad

The uprising in Syria is a subject I wish I could avoid. It is a topic that makes my blood boil, for I still cannot understand how it is humanly possible for the leader of a nation to crack down on his people in such a brutal way. The dangerous political atmosphere and vile crimes committed in the nation created a complete media void. Since then, Syrian citizen journalists have stepped in, risking their lives to bring news of the oppressive government’s violence against the population to a global audience.

Word came this past week that one of these civilian journalists was tortured to death by the Syrian government. At just 22 years old, Fatima Saad was apprehended by Bashar Al Assad’s security forces from her house in Latakia last June. According to the Syrian League for the Defense of Human Rights, Fatima died at a Damascus branch of the General Security Directorate, which is part of the Syrian intelligence service.

Fatima was a part of a network of civilian journalists, as many others did, she adopted a  different name, and was known among her circle as Farah El Rayes. As a qualified nurse, she was known in her poverty stricken suburb for her kindness and generosity. When Assad’s forces initiated the crackdown, she volunteered to teach other residents in the city basic first aid training. Her help was essential especially after regime forces destroyed the community’s only public clinic.

Saad was first arrested with her father and brother. Several of their belongings were confiscated, including Fatima’s camera. Found on the camera was a video and several images showing several of her friends carrying the Free Syrian Army’s flag and chanting against the regime.

Fatima was subjected to physical and psychological torture by the Syrian regime in an attempt to make her name those in her photos. Her death brings the number of Syrians killed specifically under torture of the regime to 1,125.

This week we must all pay tribute to Fatima. She has become a symbol of the fight that the Syrian civilian journalists continue to lead every day as they risk their lives to share their stories with the world. Her bravery and generosity will forever be remembered, and it is efforts like hers that will help the Syrian people succeed in their pursuit of freedom…

Something I Wish I Could Explain..

Deciding on a place to go for my first 4th of July celebration was anything but easy! I wanted to experience something different. I had gone to DC a short while back, and although I hear the fireworks display there is amazing, I wanted to go somewhere new, and not so typical. My friends brainstormed, and we decided on.. drum roll please.. Pittsburgh!

All in all, my trip was amazing. I have quite a few stories and photos to share with you guys. Unfortunately, there was one low point during my trip that I have to get out of my system first. While at an early dinner with my friends, I got an e-mail from one of my cousins back in Jordan. The text of the e-mail said “Watch this right now!” and included a YouTube link. I’m sure many of you have seen the video by now. It shows a heated debate between two Jordanian political figures that goes a bit too far where, after several severe insults are exchanged and a shoe is flung, a gun is pulled. The debate was being broadcast live.

I couldn’t hide my shock, and my friends at the table noticed. I hesitantly showed them the video. I was ambushed with questions. “Does this happen a lot?” “Is what happened a reflection of Jordanian culture?” I was flustered, and couldn’t figure out how to explain what I was watching. Honestly, I’m still at a loss for words.

I’ve been in the US for a few months now. I’ve seen a lot of political debates on different talk shows. Those between Republicans and Democrats are usually very heated, but composure and respect are always maintained, no matter how much the individuals participating dislike each other. Physical attacks and severe insults are avoided entirely. What happened in the video should not be taken as a reflection of culture, but it probably will be by many. Both participants, who should represent the epitome of positive Jordanian values, should be ashamed of themselves. This is definitely something I don’t miss about home.

Ok I feel a bit better now. Keep an eye out for fun stories and some great photos from my trip to Pittsburgh!

Until then..