A photograph of a young Syrian man, Wasim al-Hammad, beside the “Damascus Sword” monument in Umayyad Square in Damascus spread widely on social media. Wasim had traveled to the capital from the town of Ras al-Ayn in the countryside of Hasakah province for medical treatment and decided to capture his joy at the trip. Instead of support, however, he faced mockery: users focused on his clothing and appearance, paying little attention to the circumstances of his life.
Activists said that Wasim is a simple farmer who had taken part in demonstrations in his hometown in previous years. He is also facing serious medical and financial difficulties. According to his supporters, the young man posted the photograph sincerely and proudly, without trying to impress anyone with expensive clothes or brand names. They stressed that mocking someone because of their appearance reflects the broader problem of social contempt for poverty and for people who do not conform to imposed standards.
Other activists recalled that Wasim’s trip was connected to medical treatment, and that taking a photograph beside the symbolic monument was his way of preserving a happy memory of Damascus. They condemned the mockery and discriminatory comments, noting that words online can cause deep psychological pain. In an interview that circulated widely, Wasim said that he suffers from nervous tension and diabetes, and spoke of the capital with genuine admiration: “Damascus is wonderful, very beautiful.”
Soon, support for the young man extended beyond social media. The Arab Advertising Organization affiliated with Syria’s Ministry of Information placed a welcoming message on a large screen in Umayyad Square: “Son of Hasakah, you have illuminated Damascus with your presence.” Many viewed the gesture as a public response to the bullying campaign and a reminder that the capital should be open to all Syrians, regardless of their origin, wealth or appearance.
Wasim’s story once again drew attention to bullying based on poverty, clothing and regional identity, as well as to how quickly social media can turn an ordinary person into an object of ridicule. Users emphasized that a person’s dignity is determined by their character, not their appearance. They also said that no Syrian should feel like a stranger in their own country or have reason to question their right to be in Damascus or any other Syrian city.
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Why might Ras al-Ayn and Hasakah province be perceived in Damascus as socially and culturally distant regions of Syria? — Ras al-Ayn and Hasakah are located in the country’s northeast, far from Damascus, and have historically been distinguished by their ethnic and linguistic diversity: Kurds, Arabs, Assyrians and other communities live there. The region has also experienced war, population displacement and the prolonged presence of various armed and administrative structures. As a result, in the capital it may be perceived as a borderland and politically complex area, distinct from central Syria.
What role do Umayyad Square and the “Damascus Sword” monument play in Damascus’s public and symbolic life? — Umayyad Square is one of the capital’s main public and transport hubs, hosting official events, mass gatherings and public demonstrations. The “Damascus Sword” monument symbolizes state power, historical heritage and the defense of the country; its image is frequently used in official visual rhetoric and urban ceremonies.
What does the Arab Advertising Organization affiliated with Syria’s Ministry of Information do, and how commonly are its public messages used to express public solidarity? — Such an organization generally places and coordinates advertising and informational materials in state-run or state-affiliated media, including social campaigns and outdoor advertising. In Syria, its messages may serve not only commercial purposes but also express support for the state, the army, victims of crises or national commemorative dates. However, it is difficult to determine the degree of public solidarity based on such materials: official campaigns primarily reflect the authorities’ public position and do not necessarily represent the views of the population as a whole.
Full version: They mocked his photograph in Umayyad Square, and Syrians rallied in solidarity with him