Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

Opinion: The Hero | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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A file photo of a Syrian national flag fluttering next to the Islamic State’s slogan at a roundabout where executions were carried out by ISIS militants in the city of Palmyra


The image of a hero in Arab and global heritage is almost the same. He must be a knight and noble, be able to use a sword skilfully, protect the weak, be courageous and forgiving and must not oppress the innocent, kill children or raise his hand to a woman. In the time that we are living in, the hero kills mothers and sons, takes daughters as prisoners, kills fathers and then blows himself up and whoever happens to be passing by or praying in the vicinity.

The modern hero is familiar with drugs and prisons, is a demagogue and after a full cycle in this underground world, he decides to save the creation on his way to paradise. The problem is that those who pave the way for him and give him the key go away leave him alone with those that he killed.

The modern hero does not rescue anyone and nor does he do anyone a good turn. He also has no siblings and friends as they will go on a single trip together in order to give God’s creation the best model of piety: bombing worshippers and travellers. Mohamed Abrini was intelligent and was talented in terms of business. He bombed the passengers of Brussels Airport and left them to die alone. As for him, instead of making his way to paradise, he made his way to the city. He threw his hat in a rubbish bin and then went and sold his coat at a huge reduction without paying attention to its historical significance.

In Tikrit, one can see a different scene. Volunteers from the city are rebuilding it stone by stone. They are wiping the dust, evil, destruction and blood caused by ten months of ISIS’ occupation from its forehead. Families are returning to the homes they lost after they were restored, they are providing dinner and pillows for every homeless person and there is a promise that the Arab will return a true hero from Tikrit whose first knight was Salah Al-Din.

When ten million Syrians return to their homes, they will do the same thing that the residents of Tikrit did. Otherwise, Syria will not be rebuilt. Due to the fact that they will be engrossed in construction, they will not be able to participate in the electoral presentation provided by the Syrian president and the first lady. A passion for democracy is an old habit that is hard to quit. Since the 8th of March 1963, Syria has not missed a single election whatever the circumstances at home or abroad, especially when Syrians outside the country number more than those that remain within it.