Syrian Refugees in Berlin Weigh Their Options as Assad Regime Falls
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Loading... - Helmi Salonen
- 12 Dec 2024
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The news of the downfall of the Syrian regime of Bashar al-Assad has sent shockwaves of excitement and relief among the tens of thousands of Syrian refugees living in Berlin. For many, the thought of returning home is a tantalizing prospect, but others have built new lives in Germany and are hesitant to leave.
Razan Rashidi, executive director of the Syria Campaign, a human rights group based in Berlin, is one of those who is considering returning to Syria. "I want to go home," she says, her eyes welling up with tears. "I want to go visit for now, for sure, because it will take time to rearrange my life and my kids and all of that. But for sure, that's my dream."
However, not all Syrian refugees in Berlin are eager to return. Samer Hafez, owner of the Aleppo Supper Club, a popular Syrian restaurant in Berlin, has built a new life in Germany. "Home for me is here in Germany," he says. "Sure I'm Syrian, but I'm also now a German. Every time I'm on vacation, I miss Berlin. I've built a business and a life here. My family is here. Germany is my home. At least for now."
Hafez's story is not unique. Many Syrian refugees who arrived in Germany a decade ago have built new lives, learned the language, and started businesses. They have also brought their families over and are now integrated into German society.
However, not everyone is welcoming of the Syrian refugees. Some German politicians have called for them to leave, citing concerns about integration and the economy. Jens Spahn, a politician from the center-right Christian Democratic Union party, has even suggested chartering flights for Syrians who want to return to Syria and offering them a thousand euros in starter money.
Hafez finds this notion strange. "Why would I want to leave?" he asks. "I've built a life here. I have a business, a family, and a home. Germany is my home now."
The German government has suspended approval of Syrian asylum claims for now, and it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold. However, for many Syrian refugees in Berlin, the thought of returning home is a complex and emotional issue. While some are eager to return, others have built new lives in Germany and are hesitant to leave.
As Rashidi says, "It's a day for celebration, but it's also a day for reflection. We have to think about what we want to do next. Do we want to return to Syria, or do we want to stay in Germany? It's a difficult decision, but it's one that we have to make."
