The world media may be writing about the receding influence of ISIS in Syria and Syrian president Bashar Al-Assad’s regime trying to gain back control of a destroyed nation, but a major concern for Syria remains settling matters with the US, Russia and Iran, nations fighting the Syrian crisis. The other factor is ISIS followers who have been living in Syria. On his second visit to India in a year, Grand Mufti of Syria, His Eminence, Ahmad Bader Eddine Mohammad Adib Hassoun, talked to The Sunday Guardian about religious extremism and Syria’s future. Excerpts:
Q. There are places like Myanmar where Muslims are allegedly facing persecution because they are Muslims. Your comments.
A. Go to Myanmar, witness what is happening on the ground and then report it fairly. The media had convinced the world that the government is slaughtering its own citizens in Syria, but that was not true. The extremists started the trouble and they have been killing people and the media does not bother to check who killed the people. I have been misquoted twice, though I opposed the killing of civilians. The result was that I lost my son, he was killed at the hands of extremists. I have been accused of sending terrorists to Europe. I lost my son at the hands of terrorists; why would I want that kind of misery to fall on anyone else? So, I wish that the world media is objective and fair in reporting conflicts and see for themselves what is really happening on the ground.
Q. How do you think Muslims in India can help fight the phobia that surrounds Islam today?
A. Not just Muslims in India, the Indian government has a significant role to play. India has an excessively diverse population. All religions in the world exist in India too. India’s character is deep rooted in its multi-cultural history. Indians are making a mark in the world economy and wherever they are; they are known to be smart and nice people. So, be it Hindus or Muslims, Indians are a great example of multi-cultural identities.
Q. What is happening in Syria?
A. Now, we are at the gateway of victory. These terrorist organisations have destroyed the country which was the strongest economy in the region. Our allies, the BRICS countries plus Iran, have given us hope and strength to start our rebuilding process. The Western media and some Arab countries have tried to portray the war in Syria as a religious war that was being fought between Shias and Sunnis and other sects. However, the war was against Syria as a country and against Syria’s economy. When American troops landed in the region, they first destroyed Iraqi army, but they could not do the same to the Syrian army. Today, the Syrian army is stronger than it was in 2010 and the Syrian community is stronger now because they have come to realise that together they are stronger than ever. They could not spark a sectarian war in Syria because the vast number of sects in Syria want to live together. I am the mufti of Syria and that makes me a mufti of all the 23 sects that exist in Syria.
Q. You said that the Syrian community is stronger than it was in 2010. So are you saying that the rebels are accepting President Bahshar’s rule?
A. The president has issued amnesty four times. I have been to different places in Syria and there were people who repented and I have helped them come back to normal life. Syrian nationals who are extremists are not a problem, we can handle them. But the extremists who have come from other countries are a bigger problem now. The American generals have been meeting the rebels and outsider extremists—this is a confirmed news. For the families of those ISIS fighters who have fled the region, we request their countries to take them back. These women and children of ISIS fighters are abandoned in Syria. As far as President Bashar is concerned, we have said that we are ready for elections and any dialogue, but not at the cost of Syrian blood. Difference in political opinion is okay, but not bloodshed. And yes, I have faith in President Bashar, but if tomorrow Syria wants him out, I will be the first one to tell him that he needs to leave because the majority does not want him anymore.
Q. How is the current ‘reconstruction of Syria’s system’ different from the earlier regime?
A. There is no doubt that we have learnt a big lesson from all this. Some ministers have been held accountable and others in the administration, religious, cultural, and economic institutions have been noticed. Our judiciary system is working and we intend to make it effective in the best interests of our country.
Q. Major world powers are involved in the Syrian crisis. How does Syria plans to rebuild its system with powerful foreigners like United States and Russia camping on its land?
A. The ISIS that we are fighting today was created by the United States of America. The media is not reporting about US troops attacking the Syrian army; that is why the world does not know about it. But we have trust in our allies who have stood by us through the crisis. They are helping us now in rebuilding our system. Iran and Russia are fighting with Syria because they are protecting themselves too. Russia is surrounded by six Muslim countries and if Syria falls, all these will be vulnerable. We did not let Lebanon be divided by outsiders and now we are paying the price. But Syria is stronger. Our allies are here to help and we have faith that they understand Syria’s national interests. You need to understand that in a country like India, there is no nation that is not allowed to enter, but USA has banned so many countries. It is because they are afraid.
Q. What about the Syrians who had to flee the country? What should be done to prevent another Daesh?
A. Syrians want to come back home and we want them to come back too. But right now, there are infrastructural and economic challenges, so it will take time. Also, the people who came to fight from different countries need to go back. Their countries now should respectfully take them back. As far as Daesh is concerned, there are two layers to ISIS. First, ISIS is three people—higher administrations, CIA and MI6. The second layer of ISIS comprises those who have accepted the roles given to them by these three core players with the help of misinterpretation by religious schools and such organisations. These people and the elite in Daesh should undergo trial. The masses who are fighting for Daesh do not even know the real religion. This must be stopped. That is how you prevent anything like Daesh to gain power ever again.