In the aftermath of the Assad dictatorship, many Syrians are reclaiming their identities as 'wanted' individuals, seeing it as a symbol of resistance against oppression instead of a mark of shame or danger. Kazem Togan's return exemplifies this new normal.**
From Fear to Pride: Syria's Transformative Relationship with 'Wanted' Status**
From Fear to Pride: Syria's Transformative Relationship with 'Wanted' Status**
Syrians now view being 'wanted' by the former regime as a badge of honor rather than a source of fear, reflecting a shift in post-war societal attitudes.**
In the rebuilding landscape of post-civil war Syria, a remarkable shift in cultural identity is unfolding. In places like Aleppo and Damascus, the phrase “Do I have a name?” has become a casual inquiry among citizens, replacing the previous associations of fear and trepidation tied to being listed as "wanted" by the regime of Bashar al-Assad.
Kazem Togan stands as a prime example of this transformation. After a 12-year absence due to the threat posed by the Assad regime, he approached a passport control officer with a confident request: to check if he was on the wanted list. The response was surprisingly affirming. “You’re wanted by branch 235,” the officer chuckled, referencing the feared intelligence agency. For Togan, a journalist who once faced persecution for opposing the regime, this revelation was a point of pride. “Every Syrian asks, ‘Was I wanted?’ now,” he noted, emphasizing a collective embrace of past struggles.
For over fifty years, the Assad family instilled a culture of fear, branding citizens as unwanted through lists maintained across various security branches, turning lives into shadows of paranoia. The peril of being marked meant a constant threat of detention and disappearance. However, with the regime's power waning and societal structures shifting, the narrative around being “wanted” has changed. Those who faced persecution are now drawing strength from their history, openly discussing their past status and even boasting of it on social platforms.
This newfound pride is emblematic of the resilience of the Syrian people who, having lived through the horrors of a regime that silenced dissent through torture and violence, are now reframing their narratives. To say one was “wanted” becomes synonymous with having stood against tyranny—a badge of honor affirming their courage in the face of adversity. As Syrians collectively push forward into an uncertain future, this cultural reconciliation serves as a powerful testament to the transformative journey from oppression to empowerment.
Kazem Togan stands as a prime example of this transformation. After a 12-year absence due to the threat posed by the Assad regime, he approached a passport control officer with a confident request: to check if he was on the wanted list. The response was surprisingly affirming. “You’re wanted by branch 235,” the officer chuckled, referencing the feared intelligence agency. For Togan, a journalist who once faced persecution for opposing the regime, this revelation was a point of pride. “Every Syrian asks, ‘Was I wanted?’ now,” he noted, emphasizing a collective embrace of past struggles.
For over fifty years, the Assad family instilled a culture of fear, branding citizens as unwanted through lists maintained across various security branches, turning lives into shadows of paranoia. The peril of being marked meant a constant threat of detention and disappearance. However, with the regime's power waning and societal structures shifting, the narrative around being “wanted” has changed. Those who faced persecution are now drawing strength from their history, openly discussing their past status and even boasting of it on social platforms.
This newfound pride is emblematic of the resilience of the Syrian people who, having lived through the horrors of a regime that silenced dissent through torture and violence, are now reframing their narratives. To say one was “wanted” becomes synonymous with having stood against tyranny—a badge of honor affirming their courage in the face of adversity. As Syrians collectively push forward into an uncertain future, this cultural reconciliation serves as a powerful testament to the transformative journey from oppression to empowerment.
