Nonviolence is the lifeline out of the sea of Syrian blood

Nonviolence: The Lifeline from the Sea of Syrian Blood
By: Inas Siasneh

After 14 years of a brutal war in Syria, and after all that the Syrian people have endured—from the oppression of a tyrannical regime that employed every form of violence against its citizens, including killing, destruction, displacement, and suppression of freedoms, to social and economic violence and the incitement of sectarian ideologies meant to fracture and fragment Syrian society to make it easier to control—many hate-filled and divisive narratives have emerged, often under the guise of international protection for minorities.

This alarmed many Syrian activists and peace-promoting humanitarian organizations, who warned of the dangers of being dragged once again into the vicious cycle of violence and deeper bloodshed. In response, they called for uniting and intensifying efforts to widely spread the culture of nonviolence, aiming to counter and reduce the spread of violence.

Among the initiatives that emerged was the grassroots group “Silm” (Peace) for Nonviolence, composed of young men and women from various Syrian provinces who believe in the power of nonviolence as a tool for positive social change. After the language of weapons and violence came to dominate all aspects of life in Syria, this group prioritized promoting a culture of nonviolence to:

• Reduce human losses

• Rebuild a cohesive society by restoring broken social relations

• Rebuild trust between diverse communities

• Encourage dialogue and respect for differing opinions as a foundation for any democratic system

• Support transitional justice to ease anger and the spirit of revenge among a people who have long suffered under oppression—through legal accountability and fair justice

“Silm” collaborated with the Horan Youth Association in Daraa province to deliver specialized training in the principles of nonviolence, nonviolent communication, and strategic planning for nonviolent campaigns. At the end of the training, participants launched an initiative called “Nonviolent Antibodies”, applying its goals on the ground by painting a mural symbolizing the importance of spreading peace and nonviolence to achieve security and stability.

In addition, they held a dialogue session at the Faculty of Education amphitheater in Daraa titled:
“Why Nonviolence is a National and Political Necessity?”
The goal was to engage as many people as possible in promoting this culture widely.

The session brought together researchers, intellectuals, and students who shared their perspectives on the various forms of violence in society—forms that have impacted every one of us. The discussion sparked collective thinking around actionable solutions and suggestions to spread the culture of nonviolence as the only viable option in the current circumstances.

The initiative concluded with a moving theatrical performance portraying the deep wounds and suffering endured by the Syrian people due to years of violence. The performance conveyed a powerful message: there is no way to heal these wounds except by crossing the bridge of nonviolence toward the shores of safety and stability.

In the end, spreading a culture of nonviolence in Syria is no easy task, but it is an essential choice for a future of justice and stability. History has taught us that peace does not come from the barrels of guns, but from minds and hearts that believe in dialogue, and that human dignity is not reclaimed through force, but through justice, awareness, and solidarity.

Nonviolence is the only lifeline in the sea of Syrian blood.

So, will you be part of saving the nation—or will you remain a mere spectator?