Syria has reversed its earlier decision to close bars and restaurants in Christian areas of Damascus after public outcry. Following a crackdown by authorities citing license violations, significant backlash from business owners and the community led to an official decree reopening these establishments. This situation highlights the delicate balance of cultural identity amidst the country’s ongoing socio-political changes.
Syrian authorities have rescinded their recent decision to close bars and restaurants serving alcohol in Christian-majority neighborhoods of Damascus due to public backlash, according to witnesses and a local news source. The closures had begun after Islamist-led factions removed former President Bashar al-Assad in December, raising concerns about the protection of minority groups in Syria.
An AFP journalist reported that approximately 12 establishments in the Old City of Damascus were closed because they lacked the necessary licenses to sell alcohol. This action ignited substantial discontent across social media platforms. A Syrian news outlet, Enab Baladi, revealed it had accessed an official document mandating the closure of certain establishments for failing to comply with their alcohol-serving licenses.
Additionally, Enab Baladi reported that this initiative threatened about 250 restaurants in Christian neighborhoods, including Bab Tuma and Bab Sharqi, which had remained operational during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, set to end shortly. Following widespread public disapproval, a new decree was issued to reopen these establishments immediately.
George, a bar owner in Bab Sharqi who preferred to remain anonymous, described how joint police and municipality patrols had begun enforcing the closures, which he viewed as detrimental. He noted the closures intensified recently, characterizing them as an “attack on the district’s character” that jeopardized the livelihoods of many families. He emphasized that police reinstated operations after discussions between the governor of Damascus and local business owners.
Jenny Wheibe, a waitress in an Old City restaurant, expressed that the closures were “unjustified,” particularly as they occurred just before important holidays like Easter and Eid al-Fitr. Ziad Isaac, a local shopkeeper, echoed the sentiment, stating, “we respect the opinion of the Muslim majority, but we ask for our space and identity to be preserved.”
In summary, the Syrian government’s decision to reopen alcohol-serving bars and restaurants in Christian areas of Damascus reflects a response to public discontent and the importance of preserving cultural identity for minority groups. The authorities’ actions underscore the ongoing complexities of governance, community entitlement, and the balance needed to ensure religious and cultural freedoms in Syria.
Original Source: www.newarab.com
