Just Five Minutes Nine Years in the Prisons of Syria

Syria, an ancient nation rich in culture and history, has been home to many civilizations. Until today, Syria remains the homeland of people
from many different backgrounds, religions and sects including: Sunnis, Shias, Druze, Alawis, Ismailis, Christians and Jews. In the beginning of the last century, Syria’s division left it vulnerable to French occupation.

Syria struggled to regain its independence from France and did so in 1945 with an army that reflected Syria’s diversity. In 1963, the Baath party took power in Syria. They ignited trouble by slowly weeding out non-Baath factions of the army, including Sunnis, who made up the majority of the Syrian population. Hafiz Al-Assad of the Baath party gained the presidency in 1970. President Al-Assad further alienated the multitude of sects by putting together a government of Alawis, the religious sect he belonged to, and personal friends. This
pushing aside of the Sunni majority and other factions who desired to have a voice in the governing of their country aroused feelings
of anger and resentment that soon led to the desire to overthrow the government.

I lived in the hell of Syrian prisons for nine years, a hostage. The pen would tire before I could describe every detail of what took place and
every pain I felt while I was imprisoned by this evil regime. But I lived through it all and in the end I can say that the days of our lives come in
black and white and every shade in between. Some days are easy; others are hard. Some days pass with ease; others with friction. But all of our days are products of a predetermined destiny. While the ruling dictators thought that they held the reins over the land
and people, it was, and still is, God’s will that holds ultimate power and final say. Today the rulers of our lands use their power to oppress.
Tomorrow they will stand with the rest of us in the hands of the Ultimate and Just Ruler.