Fear and frustration are gripping the lives of Syrians around the world as their home country, Syria, begins to rebuild after decades of brutal repression under the Assad regime. However, for many who have fled to Europe, the very prospect of returning home has turned into a source of anxiety and uncertainty.
For Abdulhkeem Alshater, a Syrian national living in Austria, the fall of Assad was a moment of joy that quickly turned into despair when his country announced plans to suspend asylum applications from Syrians. "It's alarming and disappointing," he said. "And it's a breach of trust, especially for those who have already built a life here."
The Austrian government's actions have caused significant fear among the nearly 100,000 Syrians living in Austria, leaving some grappling with depression and anxiety. Alshater, who heads the Free Syrian Community of Austria, described the situation as "a nightmare" that has left many wondering if they will be able to stay in their new home.
The same sentiment is echoed by Anas Alakkad, a refugee from Syria living in Germany, where he runs a startup aimed at training migrants for the job market. "They are afraid that they will get deported," he said. Others question whether it's worth learning the language, starting businesses or settling down, fearing that their families won't be allowed to join them.
The German government has taken a hardline stance on migration, with Chancellor Friedrich Merz saying that many Syrians who have arrived in Germany since the fall of Assad will likely be forced to return home. However, experts argue that this approach is misguided and ignores the fact that many Syrians have already forged deep ties in their new countries.
Ryyan Alshebl, a Syrian refugee living in Germany, stands out as an example of successful integration. After eight years in Germany, he became mayor of his small town, Ostelsheim, where he has focused on addressing issues such as loneliness among the elderly and land use planning. However, even Alshebl acknowledges that the government's promise to deport all Syrians who rely on state assistance is a "legitimate deal" – one that could have devastating consequences for those who have built new lives in Europe.
As the international community begins to rebuild Syria, many are left wondering whether it's time for countries to reevaluate their policies on migration. Should governments prioritize the return of refugees to their home country, or allow those who have already integrated into their communities to stay? The debate is complex, and one thing is certain: for many Syrians around the world, the future remains uncertain.
For Abdulhkeem Alshater, a Syrian national living in Austria, the fall of Assad was a moment of joy that quickly turned into despair when his country announced plans to suspend asylum applications from Syrians. "It's alarming and disappointing," he said. "And it's a breach of trust, especially for those who have already built a life here."
The Austrian government's actions have caused significant fear among the nearly 100,000 Syrians living in Austria, leaving some grappling with depression and anxiety. Alshater, who heads the Free Syrian Community of Austria, described the situation as "a nightmare" that has left many wondering if they will be able to stay in their new home.
The same sentiment is echoed by Anas Alakkad, a refugee from Syria living in Germany, where he runs a startup aimed at training migrants for the job market. "They are afraid that they will get deported," he said. Others question whether it's worth learning the language, starting businesses or settling down, fearing that their families won't be allowed to join them.
The German government has taken a hardline stance on migration, with Chancellor Friedrich Merz saying that many Syrians who have arrived in Germany since the fall of Assad will likely be forced to return home. However, experts argue that this approach is misguided and ignores the fact that many Syrians have already forged deep ties in their new countries.
Ryyan Alshebl, a Syrian refugee living in Germany, stands out as an example of successful integration. After eight years in Germany, he became mayor of his small town, Ostelsheim, where he has focused on addressing issues such as loneliness among the elderly and land use planning. However, even Alshebl acknowledges that the government's promise to deport all Syrians who rely on state assistance is a "legitimate deal" – one that could have devastating consequences for those who have built new lives in Europe.
As the international community begins to rebuild Syria, many are left wondering whether it's time for countries to reevaluate their policies on migration. Should governments prioritize the return of refugees to their home country, or allow those who have already integrated into their communities to stay? The debate is complex, and one thing is certain: for many Syrians around the world, the future remains uncertain.
this whole situation with syrian asylum seekers is super messed up, i mean, one minute they're trying to escape war and violence, next minute governments are like 'oh no, gotta send you back'... it's like, didn't we learn anything from history? the usa did the same thing with vietnamese refugees in the 70s and look how that turned out 
also, i'm all for giving ppl a chance to build new lives but at the same time, we gotta consider the root cause of the problem - syria's been in shambles for decades... maybe instead of deporting them, we should be working on rebuilding the country so they can actually stay safe and happy 
. It's like they're caught in this limbo where they can't go back to their old life but can't stay in their new one either. These governments need to realize that rebuilding a country isn't just about getting people to come back, it's also about creating opportunities for them to thrive in their new homes 
. I mean, Ryyan Alshebl is doing amazing things in Germany, and he's not even a politician! What more proof do they need that Syrians can contribute to society?
. And it's not just the asylum issue, but also the language barrier and the fear of deportation... it's like they're being forced to start all over again 
.
. I mean, Ryyan Alshebl's story is really inspiring - he's made such a difference in his community back in Germany 
. But at the same time, we need to acknowledge that many Syrians have already formed strong ties with their host countries and are contributing to society in meaningful ways 
.
its like, what even is the point of rebuilding syria if ppl cant even stay in their new homes? 