'We do not know what our destination, our fate is yet'

For the first time since the stunning overthrow of Bashar alAssad two weeks ago, Shoukri, a Christian man in Aleppo, is tentatively reopening his shop.
This street, in the Christian heartland of Syria's second city, is usually packed with bustling drink stores selling everything from French wine to tiny bottles of Jägermeister. It is so well known it is nicknamed "Alcohol Alley” and Christmas is the busiest time of year.
But all the shopkeepers shuttered their stores in the chaotic but jubilant aftermath of the stunning end of 50 years of brutal Assad family rule. Videos appeared online showing what looked like rebel fighters tearing down a nearby Christmas tree in Aleppo and trashing the alcohol shelves of the duty-free sections at Aleppo and Damascus international airports from an unknown group - have Shoukri says that armed men since appeared here on multiple occasions, warning them to hide any drink and even to close. For the Christian store owners, they say it is not really about alcohol but what these restrictions signify about their wider personal and religious freedoms.
"They came to this street and said that all shop owners should remove signs of alcohol, so we did that immediately," Shoukri says as he opens his store, making sure to cover the glass frontage with cardboard so no one can see inside. "We ripped down our signs or covered the rest with black bags as well.
Really, it is not about alcohol - but what it means for the future." Moussa, 55, who owns a shop nearby, explains that under the law of the old Assad regime, they had a right to open but now they are uncertain about what the new legal basis will be.
"There are nearly 400 families that work in this kind of trade, including Muslims. Christmas is near, so this a busy period, for us" he tells The Independent, looking worried. "We are waiting for instructions - all shops in Aleppo are waiting for instructions about whether we can go ahead with this," he adds.
Denne historien er fra December 23, 2024-utgaven av The Independent.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9500+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra December 23, 2024-utgaven av The Independent.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9500+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på

Trump's irrational travel ban is an exercise in extremism
To borrow a famous phrase from another American president, no one should ever misunderestimate the capacity for idiocy of Donald J Trump.

'I wanted to be a singersongwriter like Billy Joel'
Disney composer Alan Menken has won more Oscars than anyone alive. As 'Hercules' the musical hits the West End, he speaks with Lydia Spencer-Elliott about finding the 'whoa'

Champion Swiatek toppled by late Sabalenka surge
The reign is over. It's a reality that will hit Iga Swiatek as brutally as a thumping forehand return from Aryna Sabalenka, who defeated the French Open champion 7-6, 4-6, 6-0 to reach her first Roland Garros final.

Briton held in Sri Lanka jail could wait months for bail
Charlotte May Lee accused of smuggling synthetic cannabis

Labour bans annual bonuses for six water company chiefs
Six water companies have been banned from paying bonuses to senior bosses, under new rules that come into force today.

Labour beats SNP in shock Hamilton by-election win
Labour recorded a shock victory in the Holyrood by-election last night, seizing the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse seat from the SNP.

Wiegman dismisses 'noise' around Lionesses squad
England head coach Sarina Wiegman 'really excited' by her Euro 2025 side despite much-publicised loss of senior trio

Those who could benefit from winter fuel U-turn
In a latest U-turn after months of backlash, Sir Keir Starmer's government has announced that more pensioners will receive the winter fuel allowance.

Boy and girl sentenced for killing of 80-year-old man
Bhim Kohli was found screaming out’ in pain near his home

James has talent to light up Euros... if her fitness allows
The past week hasn't exactly been an oasis of calm for the Lionesses. Mary Earps and Fran Kirby have retired from international football, Millie Bright withdrew from selection for Euro 2025.