Program | 25 05 2020
In this week’s Haki Souri, Lina Chawaf hosts activist and journalist Raed Fares, native of Kafranbel in the Idlib countryside, who talks about his upbringing, his study, and his work before the Syrian Revolution.
In this week’s episode, al-Fares recounts his observations while performing his job as an expediter in his native town. He tells of the bribery and graft he came across; as well as the issuance of laws by the Syrian regime, with the sole intent of amassing money and humiliating Syrian citizens.
With the onset of the Arab Spring and the outburst of the Syrian Revolution, al-Fares coordinated with a group of friends to come out in anti-regime demonstrations in the Syrian city of Kafranbel. Their efforts failed at first, then they managed to hold the first successful demonstration on April 1, 2011, according to al-Fares.
The city of Kafranbel became famous throughout the peaceful Syrian Revolution for its activity and banners, which had a global reach. On this, al-Fares says that the first banner written and raised in the town was on April 15, 2011—followed by a number of banners and caricatures. Al-Fares confirms that the secret of this widespread fame of the Kafranbel banners, was that they represented the "voice of the people."
Raed al-Fares speaks of the developmental works undertaken in Kafranbel during the past years, to secure jobs for the people. In parallel with the development business, al-Fares also worked with a group of the city natives on the awareness side as well, through the Kafranbel Information Office which comprises Radio "Fresh" and a number of magazines; in addition to the Aysh [Living] campaign whose members adorn the walls with graffiti.
Al-Fares also says that when they took the decision not to have a female voice in their Radio Fresh, this was not out of fear of any military organization; but that this may have more to do with certain social considerations. He points to the importance of women’s presence in the local media. In certain cases, a male reporter cannot be relied upon to cover issues of women undergoing difficult conditions; there is, therefore, a need for women working in radio and other areas of activity. Al-Fares says that always after revolutions, women are more implicated in the process of reconstruction; young men “migrate, fight, and are martyred.” Hence, women’s qualification must become a stronger priority, to empower them to do so.
To learn more about Raed al-Fares and his activities in the city of Kafranbel, listen to this week’s Haki Souri.