Syria found itself near the bottom of the global internet speed rankings, reflecting a deep communications crisis that affects all aspects of everyday life for Syrians. This problem even reached into personal relationships, becoming the subject of discussions and jokes on social networks. Against this backdrop, an unusual story emerged linking a blogger and the communications minister, which sparked widespread public resonance.
A blogger named Omar appealed to Syria’s Minister of Communications Abdussalam Haykal via platform X with a poetic complaint, describing in verse the internet outage affecting his beloved: "I called you, O Minister, and said: allo, my beloved’s internet isn’t working. I can’t connect with her, her lines are cut off from me... What shall I do?" The message drew attention both to the state of basic services and to the creative way of expressing dissatisfaction.
The minister unexpectedly replied in verse, reassuring the user: "Allo, Omar, your complaint has become an example of love and longing, completed with the grace of poetry. May God not separate you two after intimacy and may the connection between you truly endure without delay. Tomorrow the office will connect for monitoring until her internet is restored." This poetic response gave the situation a human dimension and amplified its spread as an amusing politico-social phenomenon.
The exchange triggered a flood of similar poetic replies from other users. One wrote: "If the ghost of separation ever passes between you, the ministry’s connection affair will be expedited." Most comments combined irony with romantic fantasy, rephrasing the complaint in a similar poetic style to heighten the comic effect. This reaction turned a private case into a mass virtual performance blending politics with humor.
Critical voices also appeared, mocking the minister’s involvement in resolving a personal problem. One user sarcastically remarked: "If the minister connected every time his beloved’s connection was lost, there would be not a single employee left in the ministry." Others suggested reverting to old means of communication like carrier pigeons, a bitter joke about deteriorating services. Thus, the technical problem of slow internet in Syria turned into a romantic satirical story reflecting people’s suffering and their ability to turn complaints into creative content.
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Who is Abdussalam Haykal and what is his role in the Syrian government? - Abdussalam Haykal is a Syrian businessman and public figure close to government circles. He does not hold an official state position but acts as an informal channel of communication between citizens and authorities, often responding to complaints and requests on social networks, especially on platform X (formerly Twitter). His role can be described as a mediator who helps bring the population’s problems to decision-makers.
Why has platform X become a significant channel for citizens to address authorities in Syria? - Platform X became an important channel because traditional media in Syria are under strict control, while social networks remain a relatively freer space for expressing opinions. Citizens use X for direct appeals to officials and public complaints because this often leads to quicker responses than official bureaucratic procedures. Authorities, in turn, use the platform to monitor public sentiment and demonstrate responsiveness.
What are the historical or cultural roots of using poetry to express complaints and official responses in Syrian society? - The use of poetry for complaints and dialogue with authorities has deep roots in Arab and Syrian culture, dating back to pre-Islamic times. Poetry has traditionally been a means of social criticism, political protest, and appeal to rulers in a veiled, artistic form. This tradition has persisted in modern Syria, where poems often contain hidden meanings and metaphors that allow displeasure to be expressed safely. In the digital age, this practice has adapted to social networks, where poetic appeals can spread quickly and receive replies.
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