Majd Arar

Syrian Expat from Damascus. Computer Engineer building next-gen Microchips. UBC Alumni.

[Farid Almazhan (فريد المذهان) @faridalmazhan]

إنا لله وإنا إليه راجعون.
ببالغ الحزن والأسى، تلقّينا نبأ استشهاد جميع أطفال السيد عبد الرحمن ياسين وزوجته الدكتورة رانيا العباسي، الذين اعتُقلوا في سجون النظام السوري البائد، بعد سنوات طويلة من الإخفاء القسري والمعاناة. وقد سبقهم إلى الشهادة والداهما، ليبقى هذا الملف شاهدًا على واحدة من أبشع الجرائم التي ارتُكبت بحق السوريين.
لقد خلّف النظام الأسدي إرثًا ثقيلًا من القتل والتعذيب والاعتقال والإخفاء القسري، حاصدًا أرواح آلاف الضحايا والمفقودين الأبرياء، ومخلّفًا وراءه جراحًا عميقة في وجدان السوريين.
إن التباطؤ في مسارات العدالة بحجة السلم الأهلي أو الحفاظ على الاستقرار يُعدّ إجحافًا بحق الضحايا وذويهم الذين ما زالوا ينتظرون الحقيقة والإنصاف. فلا يمكن بناء سلام مستدام ولا مصالحة حقيقية دون كشف الحقيقة، ومحاسبة المسؤولين عن الجرائم والانتهاكات ،
اليوم يتأكد أن العدالة الانتقالية ليست مطلبًا سياسيًا عابرًا، بل حق أصيل لا يسقط بالتقادم، وأساسٌ لأي مستقبل آمن وعادل لسوريا.
اللهم ارحم ضحايا شعبنا، وتغمّدهم بواسع رحمتك، وألهم ذويهم الصبر والسلوان، وانتقم ممن ظلم وقتل وعذّب واعتقل وأخفى الأبرياء، ومن أعانه أو تستّر على جرائمه.
وحسبنا الله ونعم الوكيل.

[Majd Arar @MajdArar]

No doubt everyone is a loser in this war, but the U.S.’s global standing and presumed military might are the biggest losses of all. A clear strategic failure that will have ripple effects around the globe.

[Majd Arar @MajdArar]

An air campaign alone, without ground action, won't topple a regime. The cost of the war can easily become more unberable for the other parties & global economy than for Iran. The likely outcome is Iran becoming a North Korea, isolated & determined to acquire nuclear weapons.

[Majd Arar @MajdArar]

We overcame 55 years of Assad’s dictatorship, but justice for 1 million martyrs is still undone. Today’s celebration is a reckoning, a reminder of the future we owe them, one built on freedoms, representation, accountability & a clean break from the old order.

[أنس الشريف Anas Al-Sharif @AnasAlSharif0]

This is my will and my final message. If these words reach you, know that Israel has succeeded in killing me and silencing my voice. First, peace be upon you and Allah’s mercy and blessings.

Allah knows I gave every effort and all my strength to be a support and a voice for my people, ever since I opened my eyes to life in the alleys and streets of the Jabalia refugee camp. My hope was that Allah would extend my life so I could return with my family and loved ones to our original town of occupied Asqalan (Al-Majdal). But Allah’s will came first, and His decree is final. I have lived through pain in all its details, tasted suffering and loss many times, yet I never once hesitated to convey the truth as it is, without distortion or falsification—so that Allah may bear witness against those who stayed silent, those who accepted our killing, those who choked our breath, and whose hearts were unmoved by the scattered remains of our children and women, doing nothing to stop the massacre that our people have faced for more than a year and a half.

I entrust you with Palestine—the jewel in the crown of the Muslim world, the heartbeat of every free person in this world. I entrust you with its people, with its wronged and innocent children who never had the time to dream or live in safety and peace. Their pure bodies were crushed under thousands of tons of Israeli bombs and missiles, torn apart and scattered across the walls.

I urge you not to let chains silence you, nor borders restrain you. Be bridges toward the liberation of the land and its people, until the sun of dignity and freedom rises over our stolen homeland. I entrust you to take care of my family. I entrust you with my beloved daughter Sham, the light of my eyes, whom I never got the chance to watch grow up as I had dreamed.

I entrust you with my dear son Salah, whom I had wished to support and accompany through life until he grew strong enough to carry my burden and continue the mission.

I entrust you with my beloved mother, whose blessed prayers brought me to where I am, whose supplications were my fortress and whose light guided my path. I pray that Allah grants her strength and rewards her on my behalf with the best of rewards.

I also entrust you with my lifelong companion, my beloved wife, Umm Salah (Bayan), from whom the war separated me for many long days and months. Yet she remained faithful to our bond, steadfast as the trunk of an olive tree that does not bend—patient, trusting in Allah, and carrying the responsibility in my absence with all her strength and faith.

I urge you to stand by them, to be their support after Allah Almighty. If I die, I die steadfast upon my principles. I testify before Allah that I am content with His decree, certain of meeting Him, and assured that what is with Allah is better and everlasting.

O Allah, accept me among the martyrs, forgive my past and future sins, and make my blood a light that illuminates the path of freedom for my people and my family. Forgive me if I have fallen short, and pray for me with mercy, for I kept my promise and never changed or betrayed it.

Do not forget Gaza… And do not forget me in your sincere prayers for forgiveness and acceptance.

Anas Jamal Al-Sharif
06.04.2025

This is what our beloved Anas requested to be published upon his martyrdom.

[Majd Arar @MajdArar]

After 11 years of fleeing Assad's Mukhabarat and rushing through borders, I'm back in the same place where I observed and reported on Damascus and its suburbs. The green flag flying is a bittersweet reminder of those we lost and wish could be with us today

[Majd Arar @MajdArar]

It's 11pm Damascus time, and both Presidential Palaces have their lights on, something I've rarely seen throughout Assad's reign, except on extremely rare & special occasions, but now it's a usual sight

[Abd alhade alani @abdalhadealani]

The Syrian Minister of Health and the Minister of Social Affairs and Labor were part of the convoy that Hikmat al-Hijri prevented from entering to suwayda, simply because they were representatives of the Syrian government.

These patriotic officials risked their lives to reach ground zero, yet al-Hijri refused to let them in. And now some people have the nerve to label them as extremists and falsely accuse them of starving or harming Suwayda.

All respect and appreciation to you and your efforts, honorable ministers.

[Majd Arar @MajdArar]

I will be in Damascus this week after more than 11 years since I had to leave the country, but once again, at a time when Syria is at a major crossroads. I will try to relay people's views on the ground unfiltered.

[Hassan I. Hassan @hxhassan]

Some are so focused on projecting “balance” & “moral consistency” that they make sure to both-side everything even when the situation is clear.

Druze rebels, one Druze faction that doesn’t represent all Druze, is committing ISIS-style atrocities - with Israel backing.

[Majd Arar @MajdArar]

The only path forward in Syria is through the interm government & a political process. A unified country under the rule of law is the only salvation.

This week has been a shocking reminder of the ugly consequences of sectarianism & Assadist mindsets.

[Majd Arar @MajdArar]

Thus far, Israel lost the possibility of normalization or a concrete security agreement with Syria for an immaterial results on the ground in Suwayda. What happened is definitely reseting Syria's calculations & policy for the future.

[İyad el-Baghdadi | إياد البغدادي @iyad_elbaghdadi]

Israel will never accept a sovereign, strong Syria. No amount of "goodwill signals" will change that, they’ll only be read as weakness and invite more aggression. Israel looks only at your capacity, never your intent. Its doctrine is security through mass devastation.

[Majd Arar @MajdArar]

Another quick reminder: Erdogan is not a reliable partner to rely on, just talks and no actions per usual. 14 years proved it and once again we are witnessing it right now. It is a sad reality, that somehow we never learn from it.

[Majd Arar @MajdArar]

What is not covered enough is the funerals of army & security personnel all over the country. HTS once had Idlib as a recruitment ground, now the government has all major metropolitan areas. People are already feeling the conflict with militants in Suwayda & Israel close at home.

[Majd Arar @MajdArar]

According to eyewitnesses in Damascus, there was a roof knock on army General staff building an hour earlier, then a two staged strike took place. This same building was once car bombed & stormed by Nusra (HTS) back in 2012.

[Majd Arar @MajdArar]

One week proved many wrong. Between wishful thinking and true realities, some people get blinded by hope and others by prejudice.

Clarity is always welcomed to set the course straight again. The enemy is still the same.

[Majd Arar @MajdArar]

How the interm government will be able to deal with SDF after the current fiasco in Suwayda. What's happening is extremely unfortunate & determintal. Months of steady achievements & careful policies are unraveling by undisciplined elements & non-evident chain of command

[Majd Arar @MajdArar]

We won't succeed unless we own our mistakes & stop acting against ourselves. Our revolution lasted 14 years in part because of the many mistakes we did along the way. Over a million lost their lives, so we can change and it is time we actually do

[Karim @Idlibie]

Israel bombing the Syrian army to defend Hijri’s separatist militia of drug dealers and Assadists, whilst the majority of Suwayda’s Druze have accepted a ceasefire and welcome Damascus’s control is everything you need to know about their evil intentions.