Ahmad Al Shara, Syria’s new president, was a quiet boy who played football and prayed at the mosque, as recalled by his childhood barber, Mohammad Mustafa Ouglo. After his rise to the presidency, Al Shara visited his childhood barber in Damascus, emphasizing personal connections rather than politics. Despite the decline in Ouglo’s business post-regime change, the community expresses optimism about Al Shara’s leadership and the future of Syria.
Syria’s new president, Ahmad Al Shara, was known as a quiet and serene child who loved to play football and pray at a local mosque, according to his childhood barber, Mohammad Mustafa Ouglo. Al Shara recently returned to the Abed Hair Salon for Men in Mazzeh, a suburb of Damascus, following his unexpected ascendancy after the toppling of former president Bashar Al Assad. Mr. Ouglo recognized him immediately despite years of absence, reflecting on how he had known Al Shara since childhood, when he played in the streets daily.
The Al Shara family, which once owned a grocery store nearby, faced significant challenges in recent years, including fleeing their home in 2014 due to the Syrian civil war. Ouglo expressed his familiarity with the Al Shara family, noting the president’s father and brothers had visited the salon regularly before their displacement. Despite the turmoil, he recognized Al Shara’s character, recalling him as a quiet and soft-spoken young boy.
During Al Shara’s visit, Ouglo refrained from discussing politics, focusing instead on catching up personally. He reported that the president visited with his wife and children, who remained in a vehicle outside the salon. During the visit, local residents approached Al Shara to inquire about pressing issues such as electricity, to which he replied, “be patient.”
Reflecting on his visit to sacred childhood places, including his school and mosque, Al Shara seemed unchanged, asking Ouglo about his life and family with familiarity. Mr. Ouglo humorously noted the president’s specific haircut request regarding his beard, showing signs of their long-standing acquaintance. That second visit, however, went unnoticed by locals, but after formal recognition as president, these visits ceased.
Despite being known as ‘Al Shara’s barber,’ Ouglo found that his business decreased post-regime change, as many former customers left Syria. Throughout difficult times, he articulated a sense of optimism regarding Al Shara’s presidency, echoing sentiments from other community members who hope for improvement in Syria. “I am very happy he is the president, I am very optimistic… we want our country to be better,” stated Ouglo, reflecting the community’s aspirations following a turbulent political era.
In summary, Ahmad Al Shara’s return as president has rekindled memories of his humble beginnings in Damascus, where a local barber fondly remembers his quiet nature and early life. The barber’s reflections highlight the drastic changes faced by the Al Shara family and the broader community amid the Syrian civil war. Despite the challenges, optimism for a brighter future under Al Shara’s leadership continues to flourish among locals who long for stability and progress in their country.
Original Source: www.thenationalnews.com
