Syria — once the beating heart of the Arab world — has become a land strewn with foreign languages. Apart from Syria's physical war, a cultural war was also waged on its people, as the foreign armies of Iran, Russia and Turkey descended on its soil — each with their own political and cultural agenda.
These countries are vying to promote their respective cultures and languages within their spheres of influence.
In northeastern Syria, the Kurds — who have endured prolonged deprivation of their cultural and political rights — have, with the support of the international coalition, established an autonomous educational programme within their territories.
This programme primarily prioritises the instruction of indigenous languages, encompassing Arabic, Kurdish, and Syriac. Regrettably, this important endeavour has not gotten the recognition that it deserves from Damascus or even Kurdish allies.
On its part, northern Syria continues to be under Turkish influence, with Ankara accused of seeking to “Turkify” the region by promoting its culture and language.
For example, Turkey has mandated that the Temporary Syrian Government of the opposition employs individuals who are exclusively proficient in Turkish and also that the names of schools and institutions be changed from Arabic to Turkish.
This has been met with stiff resistance by the public, who are refusing to comply with these decrees, despite their endorsement by certain local councils.
This culture war being waged in Syria is becoming increasingly apparent. As such, Al Majalla is publishing special coverage aimed at shedding light on the implications and repercussions that this growing phenomenon will have on the future of the country.
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