Thousands across Syria celebrate defeat of Assad

Bel Trew speaks to people in Damascus, hearing tales of sheer disbelief, hope, and recognition of the work ahead

- Bel Trew

Converging on Syria’s most famous mosque and spilling into the capital’s best-known square, thousands of Syrians gathered yesterday to mark the start of “a new era” following the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad. Chanting, “Hold your head up high, you’re a free Syrian,” crowds flocked to the Umayyad Mosque, one of the largest and oldest in the world, for the first Friday prayers since the spectacular collapse of the ruling regime.

Thousands more gathered in cities across the country. The celebrations were a deeply symbolic way to mark the dramatic change of power in Syria, nearly a week after insurgents swept into Damascus – ousting the Assad family who had kept an iron grip on the country for five decades.

In the capital. the country’s interim prime minister, Mohammed al-Bashir, delivers the Friday sermon to flag-waving crowds, with a message of unity. “This is a call for all the loyal people of Syria. We have to put our hands in each other’s hands; we have to collaborate and come together to build Syria,” he says, his voice cracking.

“To return this majestic country to its majestic position among the nations,” he adds. Under Mr Assad, sermons were tightly controlled and monitored, a fact not lost on the crowd. The symbolism was further amplified by the fact that in the early days of the revolution that precipitated the civil war, protesters would often gather at Umayyad Square.

Now, fighters and civilians gathered to listen, many stepping inside the sweeping mosque for the first time. Raghab, 22, a student, says it is the first time her family had prayed in the mosque because of the oversight of the regime. “I don’t remember a world without war. I grew up in this revolution and civil conflict,” she adds. “Now I have a future. I want to be an architect so I can rebuild this country.”

Many had gathered hoping to catch a glimpse of the rebel commander Ahmed al-Sharaa, formerly known by his nom de