An Eid gift from Wasfi Massarani
Our team would like to extend our best wishes for a blessed Eid al-Adha to all those observing. May this Eid bring peace for all and comfort for those most vulnerable and fragile across the globe. As you and your family commemorate the day, we would like to extend our sincere gratitude for your continued support of our organization and a free Syria.
As you stay home and safe, please take a moment to listen to a new song by Wasfi Massarani. Massarani is a singer-songwriter who has been dubbed the voice of the Syrian Revolution. He started singing and playing music at the age of 13, and has performed all over the world.
Read moreSyrian American Council receives prestigious media awards
In April 2019, as the Russian-backed Assad regime began a new offensive on Syria’s Idlib province, the Syrian American Council began vehemently planning for a comprehensive media campaign to bring awareness to the largest humanitarian crisis since WWII, while attempting to preemptively minimize the devastation to civilians.
Meanwhile, Dr. Omar Ibrahim, a young Egyptian neurosurgeon working in one of the few remaining hospitals, knew he could not stay. But returning to President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi’s Egypt risked detention or execution. His visa to Turkey had expired. Several attempts to get permission to cross the border had been unsuccessful.
Recognizing the compelling nature of Dr. Omar’s experiences, the communications team, led by communications director Michelle Taylor, developed a campaign to use his story to highlight the horrors faced on the ground – and to get Dr. Omar to safety.
In Solidarity with the People of Lebanon
Our community is heartbroken by the tragedy that took place in Beirut, Lebanon last week, and our hearts are with the people as they try to recover from physical and emotional wounds. Our team has been uplifted by the outpouring of support from our Syrian communities for their Lebanese neighbors.
Below, we share with you the ways you can help. But first, take a look at how some have chosen to show support. In the header of our email, Aziz Asmar, an artist from Idlib, paints an ode to the people of Beirut through a solidarity mural.
Coalition Letter To Administration Urges Safe Zone
The Syria American Council has joined with a coalition of advocacy, human rights, faith-based, and civic organizations to issue a letter to the Trump Administration, that calls on the United States to work with Turkey and the international community to establish a safe zone in the remaining opposition-held portions of northwestern Syria.
Read the full letter and list of signatories below.
Read more
Standing true to our mission amidst global uncertainty
As the nation and the world face unprecedented amounts of uncertainty in this rapidly changing environment, we continue to stand true to our mission - perhaps now more than ever - to stand up for the people of Syria. Particularly during this week of remembrance, our work continues, though it looks a bit different than it did just a week ago.
We found this article by Syrian American journalist, Yousur Al-Hlou, and Evan Hill of the New York Times particularly informative in explaining the risks to the population of Idlib in the face of a global pandemic.
Read moreTAKE ACTION TODAY: Children At Risk In Idlib
What greater way than through song to let the children of Syria know we stand with them and to share their difficult story with the rest of us.
The violence against civilians in the northwestern province of Idlib shows no signs of stopping. The most vulnerable population at risk in Idlib are the children who live under constant fear of the bombing campaign by Russian- and Iranian- backed Syrian regime forces. One child has been killed per day, on average, over the last year in Idlib.
Our very own chair of missions and singer-songwriter, Dylan Connor sheds light on Idlib’s children in his latest song “If Only You’d Listen,” a song of hope born from the tragedy in Idlib. Dylan was inspired by a photograph from Idlib of a father reaching out for his children who were dangling off the edge of their house after it had been bombed from the air. It is a haunting appeal, written from the point of view of a child to the international community, to listen to their plight and to open their hearts to the children of Syria.
Watch and share the video below, using the hashtags #IdlibUnderFire #WhatIdlibTaughtMe and #EyesOnIdlib.
Follow Dylan on the song’s website, and heed his call by taking action today for Idlib.
Contact your members of Congress today and ask that they lend their voices by urgently calling on the U.S. to work with the international community to do the following:
- Sanction Russia for its atrocities in Syria;
- Demand the administration work with international community to stop the bombing against Syrian civilians by Russia and Assad;
- Provide cross-border aid without consent of the Assad regime.
Thank you.
Caesar is LAW - We did it!
Today, we are standing on the right side of history.
It is with profound gratitude that I announce The Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act (H.R. 31/S. 52) has been signed into law by President Trump as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). With President Trump’s signature, this bipartisan legislation sends a clear message to Assad and his Russian and Iranian allies that they will be held accountable for the atrocities committed against the Syrian people. For Syrians and Syrian Americans, this landmark legislation represents a moral stand on behalf of the United States. It would not have been possible without the tireless dedication of you, the members of our community.
Read moreSave the Date! Join us in DC March 12-14
Please save the date and plan to join us in Washington, D.C., as we commemorate the ninth anniversary of the Syrian Revolution, from March 12-14, 2020.
Once again, Syrian American organizations will come together in the nation’s capital to present a three-day event, including an advocacy day on The Hill, community and think tank panels, and an evening gala to celebrate the Syrian-American community and its allies.
Please mark your calendars now! More details to follow.
Advocacy in Action: A doctor’s story inspires his congressman
By now you know that Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Syrians was extended by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for 18 months. This was no doubt in response to the advocacy by Syrian American organizations and the Syrian American community.
One personal story successfully highlights the impact of the advocacy done on behalf of Syrian TPS holders.
Advocacy In Action: TPS for Syrians Extended
On Thursday, August 1, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced its decision to extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to nearly 7,000 Syrians living in the United States. While this was a hard fought victory by the Syrian American Council, our partner organizations and community, that makes it even sweeter.
