Ahmed al-Sharaa, the leader of the Syrian rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), has recently addressed a controversy sparked by a public interaction. The incident in question involved a video where al-Sharaa was seen gesturing for a young woman to cover her hair before agreeing to take a photo with her. This event has ignited a debate among various commentators, reflecting the broader tensions within Syrian society and politics regarding the role of religion and gender norms under the new leadership.
The controversy unfolded last week when Ahmed al-Sharaa, who previously used the nom de guerre Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, was touring the Mezzeh area of Damascus. A woman named Lea Kheirallah asked to take a photograph with him. Before consenting to the photo, al-Sharaa gestured for her to cover her hair, which she did by raising the hood of her jumper. This action was captured on video and shared across social media platforms, leading to a significant backlash and discussion.
There are several pro and anti reactions to this incident on social media and people expressing their views.
The girl, through her Instagram story:
He kindly and fatherly requested that I cover my hair if I wanted to take a photo with him. This is entirely his right, as he wants to present himself in a way that aligns with his principles and beliefs. To clarify, he did not ask all the… pic.twitter.com/8VrbBOe86X
— Nedal Al-Amari (@nedalalamari) December 14, 2024
Liberal Concerns and Conservative Critiques:
Liberals and those with non-conservative views expressed concern that this gesture might indicate a move towards enforcing conservative Islamic practices in Syria under HTS rule. The worry is that such actions could lead to policies mandating hijab or other conservative dress codes for women, signaling a shift towards Islamic governance rather than a secular state. This has led to fears of a regression in women’s rights and freedoms that were more openly practiced under the previous regime, despite its authoritarian nature
Ahmed al-Sharaa: Response.
In response to the uproar, Ahmed al-Sharaa spoke to the BBC, where he dismissed the controversy, stating, “I did not force her. But it’s my freedom. I want photos taken for me the way that suits me.” He emphasized that his request was not about enforcing religious rules but rather about his personal comfort with how he is photographed. Lea Kheirallah herself confirmed that she was not bothered by the request, highlighting the personal nature of the interaction rather than a broader policy directive
This incident underscores the delicate balance al-Sharaa and HTS must maintain as they attempt to govern a country with diverse religious and political views post-Assad. The controversy over the photo serves as a microcosm of the larger challenges facing Syria, where the new leadership must navigate between different expectations and historical grievances.
-
Political Astuteness: Al-Sharaa’s approach to this situation demonstrates a political astuteness, choosing to frame his actions as personal rather than policy-driven, potentially to avoid alienating more liberal or secular segments of the population while still appealing to his conservative base.
-
Public Perception: The event also illustrates how easily public perception can be swayed or manipulated in the digital age, with each side of the debate using the incident to further their narratives about the future of Syrian governance.
As Syria continues to redefine itself post-civil war, incidents like these will likely recur, testing the new government’s ability to balance tradition with modernity, religious conservatism with secular freedoms, and the diverse needs of its populace. How al-Sharaa and HTS manage these tensions could shape not only their rule but the very identity of a new Syria.
