DAMASCUS (AP) — A vibrant atmosphere filled the packed concert hall in Damascus as renowned singer Wasfi Maasarani returned to Syria after 13 years of exile, performing in celebration of what he called “Syria’s victory.” The concert, organized by the Molham Volunteering Team, marked a month since the lightning insurgency that toppled former President Bashar Assad.
Maasarani, a symbol of the Syrian uprising, had continued supporting the cause through his music while living in Los Angeles. His songs, along with those of activist Abdelbasset Sarout, played a crucial role in uniting Syrians during the uprising-turned civil war that began in 2011.
In a moving display, the audience waved the new Syrian flag marked by three stars, while banners in the hall proclaimed messages such as, “It is Syria the Great, not Syria the Assad.” One of Maasarani’s notable songs, “Jabeenak ’Ali w Ma Bintal,” praised the Free Syrian Army for standing against Assad’s forces.
Raed Saleh, head of the White Helmets civil defense organization, reminded the crowd of the thousands who suffered under Assad’s regime and never returned from prisons or detention centers. The White Helmets played a vital role in locating the missing after Assad’s fall.
Reflecting on his exile and survival of assassination attempts, Maasarani expressed gratitude for the opportunity to perform his revolutionary songs in Syria once more. Amid uncertainties about the future, with the former insurgent group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham now taking charge, attendees like Alaa Maham expressed hope for a new chapter free from oppression and corruption.
The event underscored the resilience and unity of the Syrian people, with Maasarani emphasizing the importance of capturing the nation’s history through music. As Syria navigates its path forward, the spirit of liberation and hope echoed through the concert hall, embodying a collective desire for lasting happiness and freedom.
