14.12.2024, 18h42
The euphoria created by the fall of Bashar al-Assad passed, bar owners quickly worried about whether they would be able to continue their activity, while Syria is now ruled by Islamists.
In the days following the capture of Damascus by the armed coalition dominated by the radical Islamists of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), bars and alcoholic beverage shops remained closed. They were frightened by rumors circulating on social media about a crackdown on the sale of alcohol banned by Islam.
Determined to find out more, Safi, the owner of Papa Bar in the Old City of Damascus, went to the police station in the Christian neighborhood of Bab Touma. “I told them that I owned a bar, that I wanted to organize a party there and serve alcohol,” he told AFP.
“They replied: 'Yes, open the bar, there is no problem for us. You have the right to work and live your life as before,” he adds, leaning on the counter of his bar where bottles of whiskey and Syrian arak sit.
No official communication
No official communication has taken place on the subject of alcohol but the new authorities have already announced that they will be tolerant towards the country's different religious communities and social practices.
“Talk about a ban on alcohol is false,” an HTS official told AFP on condition of anonymity. The new government has “more important issues to manage,” he insisted, somewhat exasperated.
The Papa Bar and a handful of other pubs in the area have therefore reopened but customers remain worried.
The first evening, Safi welcomed around twenty people in a setting reminiscent of the Polynesian islands. But from the second day, customers became rare. “The people who attended were confused and scared. They were there without really having the heart to party,” said the bar owner.
For him, if the new authorities sent a clear message to the population, ensuring that there is no fear regarding the sale and consumption of alcohol, “everyone would stay up until late and be happy, because “we are in the middle of the month of celebrations”.
Christmas decorations in the streets
For several days, Christmas decorations have lit up the streets of Damascus, to the great joy of the large Christian community present in the country.
In the Al-Alia restaurant, a singer ignites the crowds with popular hits, while customers enjoy mezze and sip beers and arak. “With what happened, we expected a big mess. But see, we very quickly came back to life and resumed our evenings and our rights,” says a 44-year-old customer, Mohsen Ahmad, determined to have a good time.
The restaurant manager expresses his fears for the future, even if for the moment the new masters of the country want to be reassuring. “Right in the middle of the reopening party, members of HTS arrived. They left their weapons outside,” says Yezan Shalash.
“They told people: 'We are not here to scare you or terrorize you. We are here so that we can all live together in Syria, to allow everyone to enjoy the freedom that we have waited so long for,” the manager continues. “They treated us very well but I’m afraid it’s temporary,” he said.
The interim government will rule the country under the supervision of HTS until March 1. After this date, the uncertainty is great. Until then, Safi hopes that customers will dare to come back for a drink, like before
Related News :