Delta-N A Journal Published by the Centre for Thought and Public Affairs, Damascus - London.
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Editor’s Introduction: About Delta-N journal
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Islamic fundamentalism in the Levant
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The role of Syrian women in transitional justice Ingenuity in the midst of pain
The Summary Edition: Vol 1, No 0, June/July 2014
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The intellectual, the Opposition and public affairs in Syria Between poetry and Facebook
Contents
Our Team Contents
Cover Photo: A Story of Fighter by: Bana Makhus
We are pleased to present you with the Summary Edition of issue zero of the journal ‘Delta-N’ by the Centre for Thought and Public Affairs (Damascus – London). The Summary Edition contains more than 20 abstracts, penned by young writers from Syria, and the Middle East, exploring, from differing angles, the relationship between ‘Thought’ and ‘Public Affairs’ in the region. The materials presented include abstracts of articles, studies, book reviews, journalistic reports, and a section dedicated to visual art with a number of photographic images and caricatures.
Editorials
--------------------------------------------------------Articles ------------------------------------------------------------Book Reviews -----------------------------------------------Reports ----------------------------------------------------------Studies -----------------------------------------------------------Visual Materials ----------------------------------------------Editor-in-Chief:
Journalistic Team:
Talal Al-Mayhani
Dima Nicholas Noor Shalghen Tarek Alabed Kusay Amamah Alaa Ihsan
Editor (English):
Azzam Al-Kassir Editor (Arabic and Editorial Pages):
Mazen Ali Editor (Arabic):
Farzand Omar Editor (Journalism):
Maher Al-Mounnes Multimedia:
Khaled Harbash Kinda Youssef Mustapha Dabbas Centre for Thought and Public Affairs
Contact Us
London Office: 436A Hamilton House Mabledon Place, Bloomsbury London, WC1H 9BB Tel: +44 2075548530 Email: info@c-tpa.org Website: www.c-tpa.org Delta-N Journal
Email: editors@c-tpa.org Website: delta-n.c-tpa.org Delta-N Journal Summary Edition - June / July 2014
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Public Relations:
Mataz Suheil Majd Jammoul Translation:
Yomn Al-Kaisi Internet:
Tarek Sawah Design:
Omran Attar gaea.goddess@gmail.com Disclaimer: the thoughts and opinions presented in this issue are those of the individual contributors, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Editorial Board of Delta-N Journal or Centre for Thought and Public Affairs. Copyright @2014 Delta-N Journal and Centre for Thought and Public Affairs.
Editorial
Editor’s Introduction:
About Delta-N journal Delta-N journal aspires to be an open space for the study of the ‘relationship’ between ‘Thought’ and ‘Public Affairs’. This journal is one of several activities that take place at the Centre for Thought and Public Affairs (Damascus London), and is published with the efforts of a team dispersed across Damascus, Beirut, Cairo, Sweden, Turkey, Paris and London. Currently, the Editorial Board of Delta-N is working to publish a bimonthly softcopy of the journal (available on the website www.c-tpa. org), with the hopes of publishing a bimonthly hardcopy after the first year. Delta-N takes special interest in issues regarding the Middle East, with a focus on Syria in particular. The journal publishes a range of materials including articles, studies, book reviews, journalistic reports, photographic images, abstract art and caricatures. Delta-N’s Editorial Board focuses on attracting the pens of the young and talented who are critical and original in their approach. The Board also seeks to encourage young writers without extensive experience, as it hopes to inspire those who have been hesitant in publishing their work for various reasons. Delta-N’s stance on material submitted is open and transparent, in direct communication with writers. It is essential to emphasize that Delta-N’s Editorial Board holds no previous political or ideological biases that could interfere with submissions that are made; the Board’s role is limited to making suggestions with comments or edits regarding the way the ideas of the writer are presented (so that they may become clearer and more intelligible to a
wider reading audience). For more information, please refer to the guidelines related to written submissions via our online website. Finally, a word on the journal's name ‘Delta-N’ which may attract readers to question its symbolic significance. The GreekPhoenician letter ‘Delta’ is shaped as a triangle towards the highest; towards the abstract, towards the absolute, a symbol of fire, magnificence and intellect; it is a metaphor for ‘Thought’. As for the letter ‘N’ (nun), it emerges as a symbolic letter from Arab heritage, such as in the Qur'anic phrase ‘be, and it is’ (kun fa ya-koun); towards presence completion, towards beingness actualization, towards creating things within our surrounding reality, it is a metaphor for ‘Public Affairs’ which people are affected by in their reactions and interactions. The combination of the letters ‘Delta’ and ‘N’ reflects the symbolism behind each, culminating in a metaphoric combination between ‘Thought’ and ‘Public Affairs’ and thus embodying the message behind the Centre for Thought and Public Affairs. We wish that this humble beginning meets the expectations of our readers, in the hopes that our ambitious efforts will create a new intellectual space that respects writers and readers alike, and highly values the words that bring them together.
Talal Al-Mayhani Editor-in-Chief
Delta-N Journal Summary Edition - June / July 2014
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Editorial
A Word on The Current Summary Edition (June 2014)
We are pleased to present you with the English Summary Edition of issue zero of the bimonthly journal ‘Delta-N’ by Centre for Thought and Public Affairs (DamascusLondon). This journal is the result of months of active work conducted by the Delta-N team, in collaboration with a group of young talented writers and artists, in order to offer a new contribution in the intellectual, cultural, and critical arena of the Middle East. Within this limited space, it is not possible to fully describe the transformation of the idea of Delta-N, which emerged in discussions between a group of friends and colleagues and has eventually left the imagination to become a reality. Yet whatever our feelings may have been, and despite our eagerness that allowed this to become a reality, our work will be best evaluated by the feedbacks we receive from our readers, and from those who work in the spheres of thought and public affairs; those 4
Delta-N Journal Summary Edition - June / July 2014
who are invited to express their opinions and send their feedbacks and criticisms directly to the Editorial Board. This Summary Edition includes five sections: articles, book reviews, journalistic reports, studies, and visual materials. It comprises of more than 20 abstracts that summarise ideas discussed in a simple manner for readers. The Summary edition addresses a range of topics and issues. In the section dedicated to articles, Mazen Ali discusses the role of political regimes in fostering an environment that results in extremist ideology in his article ‘Islamic fundamentalism in the Levant: the Syrian regimes investment’, while Imad Al-Abbar addresses the importance of reinterpreting religious scripture in the context of its effects on society. Meanwhile, Riham Kousa comments on Syrians reactions online to the events taking place in the Ukraine. In the article titled ‘The role of Syrian women in transitional justice’, Alia Ahmad emphasizes the importance of female participation in the realm of Syrian public affairs. In relation to economics, Majd Jammoul contributes with his article ‘The rentier state in the age of political transformation’ which is a preface to a research paper soon to be published by the author. This issue also includes two book reviews; Farzand Omar reviews the fictional book titled ‘Loneliness Pampers its Victims’ by the young writer Dara Abdullah, while Abed Al-Haj shares
Editorial
his views on the political book ‘Democratic Transformation ... Syria as an Example’ by Radwan Ziadeh. In our journalistic reports section, our reporters from Delta-N investigated two issues. The first report, titled ‘Ingenuity in the midst of pain’, addresses the emergent cultural and artistic projects in the shadow of Syria’s destruction. By interviewing researchers from the ‘Syrian Centre for Policy Research’, the second report discusses the role of researchoriented think-tanks in the development of Syria. In his study titled ‘The intellectual, the opposition, and public affairs in Syria’, Mohammad Dibo presents an in-depth rereading of the state of social and political affairs in Syria by arguing that a number of Syrian intellectuals are ignorant of the current Syrian reality –the extended version of this study will be published in future by the Centre for Thought and Public Affairs. Firas AlHawat’s gripping historical study ‘Ghilan AlDimashqi in various contexts’ is also published in the current Delta-N Summary Edition. In a shift to the arts, Sulaf Alloush’s study sheds light on the effects of technology (Facebook) on poetry, while Victorious Shams's study focuses on three examples of how cinema has allowed the Palestinian cause to become a more public affair. In another study, Azzam Al-Kassir gives a focused critical reading on calls to implement Shari'a that sweep across Syria and the Middle East. Finally, we publish the abstract the first part of a study by Yasmine Ayoud titled ‘Determining factors on the formation of cultural identity in the Syrian child’, in the hopes of publishing the future chapters of her study in our next issue.
who have contributed their work to this issue are: Rami Makki, Samarah Salam, Mustafa Dabbas, Hani Abbas, Du’aa Nashar, Osama Hawijeh, Bana Makhous, and Murhaf Youcef. The Editorial Board
The materials in this Summary Edition are also available in Arabic. Delta-N is a bimonthly journal published by Centre of Thought and Public Affairs in Arabic, with a Summary Edition in English. For more details please visit our website: delta-n.c-tpa.org
In our final section titled ‘Visual materials’, we have selected pieces that range from photography to caricatures. Young artists Delta-N Journal Summary Edition - June / July 2014
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Articles
Articles
Islamic fundamentalism in the Levant:
the Syrian regime's investment
There are three factors that reinforce the previously unprecedented dynamic interactions of fundamentalism in the Levant. Firstly, the weakened central authorities in Syria, Iraq and Lebanon. Secondly, the withdrawal of civil society as a result of authoritarian power razing it to the ground. And thirdly, the need for mobilizing ideology against external invading powers and tyrannical dictatorships; an ideology which adopts a simple discourse that is not challenged by any serious ideological contender. These factors exacerbate the state of backwardness of
an already deteriorating culture in the Levant; a culture that is in crisis in its identity as well as in its relationship with the ‘Other’. Ultimately, the outcome is the creation of a strand of radical fundamentalism in which there are those willing to invest by extortion and other methods of international, regional and local retributions. Consequently, the scene that unfolds is an absurd one and full of radical fundamentalist movements that are fighting political regimes which in turn have shrunken into militias directing civil wars; feeding off one another in what may be described as the ‘collusion of opposites’.
By: Mazen Ali
Syrian blogging and the debate of
staying connected with reality personal commentaries, and bloggers that drift from humanitarian and political issues preferring to discuss more creative topics –whether that is literature or niche interests. In either respect, this article argues that the debate of staying close to reality is dictated, first and foremost, by the bloggers personal agenda. The Syrian political crisis, which has steered towards current civil war, has increased the significance of the Syrian blogosphere as an intellectual and cultural movement. The Syrian blogosphere can be broadly categorised into two camps; bloggers that seek to address the state of current affairs through general and
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By: Waleed Barkasiyah
Articles
Towards establishing a different social consciousness:
with the Quranic verse {And about the bounty of your Lord, do talk} talk}, the fragmented interpretation and practice of which has led to many people living absorbed lives, resulting in a state of solitary existence and eventual withdrawal from society. It is therefore imperative that we reinterpret many verses that result in social maladies, and it is with this verse that we will begin. There is no doubt that improper social practice is based on distorted misinterpretations of religion, or selective interpretation in which text is taken out of context. Indeed this is what we have found in our society with reference to the verse {And about the bounty of your Lord, do By: Imad Al-Abbar
Weddings in the Ukraine
and drums in Syria posts made to the online page reflect the cognitive and psychological status of a certain segment of the Syrian society, discussing how simple platforms for political participation can go beyond their local framework to deal with an international event.
In the online world, recent events in the Ukraine have surpassed the European media sphere to become a topic of discussion on social media forums by Syrians. For example, the online page ‘Give a piece of advice: from Syrian to Ukrainian rebels’ seeks to tackle the Ukrainian situation from a local, spontaneous, Syrian angle. This article sheds light on how
By: Riham Kousa Delta-N Journal Summary Edition - June / July 2014
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Articles
The rentier state in an age of political transformation:
obstacle to democratization, forgotten by the political elite
This article seeks to explore two concerns facing what has become popularly referred to as the ‘Arab Spring’. The first concern relates to these countries as rentier states, while the second concern relates to ignoring this issue, as an obstacle to democratic change, by the political elite. Rentier state poses an obstacle to democratic change because of its ties with tyranny, as a method of ruling, which in turn enables regimes to control social resources and dedicate them to serve these regimes›
interests without any accountability. Indeed, this is linked to the socio-economic class structure of these states which is directly connected to the interests of the authority, and consequently becomes conflicting with the development of a democratic state. The political elite does not seem to address this issue. However, changing state structure and the attitude of those in power who dictate institutions and economic structures, in addition to the issue of political change, are all key conditions towards a democratic state. This article is an introduction to a research paper which will be published in the future.
By: Majd Jammoul
The role of Syrian women
in transitional justice that the equal participation of women with men is a key factor in determining the future of the Syrian state in which the demands of Feminist organizations must be addressed in order to take an active role during transitional justice.
This article emphasises the importance of the participation of women in transitional justice, arguing that it is one of the many forms of political participation. It is therefore imperative to prepare for this stage on every level. This article argues
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By: Alia Ahmad
Articles
The truth ‘is not’ there:
Syria, a‘general reading’ of digital war flowing information. Generating content in this digital war is a key issue discussed in this article that proposes two questions: can we trust the individuals that generate this content? Does what they say represent the truth?
This article discusses the impact of media on what is currently taking place in Syria. It explores the use of new technology (such as tablets and other devices) and investigates the interactions between new and old media, public opinion, the real world and the sources of
By: Ammar Al-Mamoun
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Book reviews
Book reviews
Literary rhythms on Syrian melodies:
narratives between commitment and fantasy (book reviewed: ‘Loneliness Pampers its Victims’, by Dara Abdallah, 71 pages, Mas’aa publishing house, 2013)
This is a review of the book ‘Loneliness pampers its victims’ by the young author Dara Abdullah. This book review launches from the premise that art is a grand warehouse for collective unconsciousness, as is reflected historically. Encompassed in this vision, this review will attempt to understand the energetic structures of Syrian society through the use of literary examples, observing the level of impact on its intellectual state and interactions with public affairs. The book ‘Loneliness pampers its victims’ is a set of texts that overrides all material in its field due to its self-consistency, which addresses systemic changes and revolutions in general that are concerned with structural demolition more than construction and counting wins and losses. This approach which has its roots in social movements 10
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adopts a route which leans towards chaos as opposed to order, closer to life from death and stagnation, which seeks to seize the moment in the belief that chaos creates new laws. This article seeks to give critical analysis focusing on specific points in this unconventional book, such as the sense of humour and semantic prose structure.
By: Farzand Omar
Book reviews
Democratic Transformation... Syria as an Example:
a new book that addresses a post-Assad era
(book reviewed: ‘Democratic transformation…Syria as an example’, by Radwan Ziadeh, 230 pages, Al-Rayis publishing house, 2013)
Starting in 2007, this book was written over the course of 5 years, before the beginning of any protests in Syria that rapidly developed into military clashes. The author discusses democratic transformation tracing its development from Southern to Eastern Europe, travelling to Latin America, before reaching the Arab world after twenty years. He claims that he witnessed this transformation through his travels to more than fifty countries in which he was introduced to each country’s transformative experience. The author argues that the only way for Syria to progress after the fall of the regime is through ‘national reconciliation’ which requires leaving behind the heavy past towards embracing the future. Ziadah contends that this will require a dual task for Syrians after the war is over:
working to restore the Republic from the inherited kingdom, recreating a democracy in the defeat of more than half a century, and the introduction of basic understandings of freedom.
By: Abd Al-Haj Delta-N Journal Summary Edition - June / July 2014
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Reports
Reports
Ingenuity in
the midst of pain Mistaken are those who think that Syria is a country of nothing but war, blood and death. For despite the violence that has gripped this country for 3 years, despite its destruction, there is a nation that loves life and works to engage with these painful events in intellectual activities; sometimes through art and culture. Some of these activities came to life as a result of the chaos that currently grips the region, while others existed prior to these events and have continued to grow and expand in scope. Through this report we hope to shine light on a number of these activities. On an intellectual, cultural and social level we have come across initiatives such as the ‘Syrian Centre for Documentation’, the cultural organization ‘Ittijjahat’, as well as the ‘Binaa Cultural Forum’. Other initiatives include the youth group ‘Together, we read’ and from the suburbs of Idlib ‘Saraqib of Hope’. In the artistic sphere, we came across films by a young Syrian director; ‘The king does not 12
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die’, ‘Shakespeare in al-Za’tari’ and ‘Sparkle’. We then left the cultural and artistic realm to a more virtual one, in ‘A story untold’ and interviews with two bloggers regarding the issues of blogging. In the media world we explored new types of media as an alternative to traditional broadcasting outlets such as online websites, electronic broadcasts, and virtual news rooms –three samples of new media broadcasting that have emerged as a result of current affairs in Syria.
By: Delta-N reporters
Reports
Regarding policy research think-tanks:
the Syrian Centre for Policy Research as an example In the shadow of political affairs in Syria, the general emergence of policy research orientated think-tanks has been a direct reaction to those affairs. The absence of an independent, credible and reliable think-tank led to the establishment of the ‘Syrian Centre for Policy Research’ as an independent body that seeks to relay information on current Syrian affairs in an authentic manner. From the Centre’s headquarters in Damascus, reporters at Delta-N Journal conducted interviews with researchers Rabie Nasser, Zaki Mahshi and Reema Dali. In conversation with Rabee’ Nasr, we discussed the establishment of the Centre, working in a politically volatile environment, funding issues and other significant obstacles faced by the Centre. We also explored the effects of the current security situation in Syria on the Centre and questioned how it preserves a credible and impartial reputation in the
research it produces. Finally, we concluded our interview by discussing some of the latest research produced by the Centre on current Syrian affairs.
By: Delta-N reporters Delta-N Journal Summary Edition - June / July 2014
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Studies
Studies
The intellectual, the Opposition and public affairs in Syria:
A needed extended preface
Despite the extent to which the Syrian revolution has reflected the aspiration of Syrians towards freedom, it has equally revealed the level of ignorance and lack of knowledge regarding this ‘Syria’ that they aspire to. This is not on the level of street audiences/the people, but rather on the level of the intellectual elite that write ignorantly about their country and consequently become one of the reasons for crisis instead of inducing enlightenment and positive solutions. Thus there was no choice but to return to the material that the Syrian intellectual produces regarding ‘Syria’, for the disaster is that there is only a minority of Syrians that have any knowledge on Syria! There is much ideology but little knowledge. This prompted us to begin a study that discusses the ‘ignorance’ of Syrian intellectuals regarding their ‘Syria’s’ and questions the strength of their ideology through posing a question that reflects the tragic extent of Syrian intellectualism: Why is there not one informative book that discusses Syria by any Syrian intellectual before the year 2000? And why are all books post-2000 written hastily? And why are they so small in number that they can be barely counted by hand? These questions, in addition to the ignorance of Syrian intellectuals regarding the nature of their country as well as 14
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the political, economic and social structures of it propelled this study to dive into Syrian intellectualism since the formation of Syria with its modern geography in the shadow of French imperialism (1920-1946). This article focuses on the historical context in which the Syrian intellectual was created and the transformation of the understanding of types of intellectuals, beginning with the ‘educated intellectual’ moving to the ‘ideological intellectual’ as well as the ‘revolutionary intellectual’ and ‘critical intellectual’, concluding with the ‘generalist critical intellectual’ –who is born in the shadow of the revolution, revitalising Syria to a multitude of possibilities after years of confinement to one political ideology. In the hopes of publishing future chapters, we will explore external causes (from outside the conventional framework of knowledge) that have created this intellectual poverty, as well as the internal causes (from inside the discourse and methodology of knowledge produced). Simultaneously working to open new doors in this context, we hope that many discussions will follow with intellectuals and others who will see forth the ‘birth’ of seeking knowledge for the sake of knowledge, without using the revolution or the past as a reason for it.
By: Muhammad Dibo
Studies
Recounting the past in service of the future:
Ghilan Al-Dimashqi in various contexts
This study seeks to focus on the process of recounting history for the sake of the present. Indeed this process is linked to a number of fields related to public affairs, which may be deployed in politics, culture and philosophy – especially in efforts to face the obstacles of the present. In the aim of realising that goal, this study recounts a specific historical story; the life of Ghilan Al-Dimashqi who lived in Damascus in the eighth century, A.D. It is the study of the methods that emerge in relation to this story in three stages that subscribe to different time periods, as well as understanding the different contexts in which those stages occurred. The story begins with the image that Judge Abdul-Jabar (d. 1025) presents of Ghilan AlDimashqi, describing the relationship between that image and the life of the Judge when he presented this image. After summarising some issues related to the life of Judge AbdulJabar, it becomes apparent that his projection of personal life obstacles upon Ghilan AlDimashqi contributed to the image of him being perceived in a particular way. Indeed, the historian Ibn Asaker (d. 1175) creates an image
of Ghilan Al-Dimashqi that reflects the specific time period in which he wrote his work on AlDimashqi’s life and that is completely contrary to Judge Abdul-Jabar’s depiction. However, both historians agree that their depictions of Al-Dimashqi were in line with the interests of their time. The study continues to explore the third stage, which is the cinematic style of Syrian director Haytham Haqi, who deals with Ghilan in a film about his life. The importance of Haqi’s film is that it presents a holistic view of this historical personality launching from a present context, whilst skilfully avoiding the trap of oversimplification which sometimes deals with historical events as examples that have given birth to the present.
By: Firas Al-Hawat Delta-N Journal Summary Edition - June / July 2014
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Studies
Between poetry and Facebook:
gleams of social transformation
This article is titled ‘Between poetry and Facebook’ shedding light or creating small comparison on the transformation of poetry between stanzas published in newspapers and periodicals, grasping the attention of poetry readers to begin with, and modern poetry (and what is meant by modern is the time context of vocabulary as opposed to critical annotation). This article focuses on the use of social media as a medium in which poetry is consumed; no longer is it necessary for the reader to have a specific interest in poetry, for these online pages are whole communities that do not reflect platforms for the poetic realm which is prevalent in magazines
and specialised newspapers (where a particular reader will seek, who is able to critique on a literary and linguistic level). This article is a short introduction to some of the most popular stanzas that act as literary poetic gleams on Facebook. It will explore how the sociological effects of living in a digital age has led to the reduction of poetry. This article also encompasses the work of poets who have never had a hardcopy publication; whose work was confined to the online pages of social media. The poet’s featured were randomly selected from online pages that I came across. I chose the poems without the bias of a trained critical eye, but rather as an ordinary reader.
By: Sulaf Alloush
Returning to the future:
reading into calls for Shari'a reinstatement Creating an Islamic state that is ruled by the principles of Shari›a law is the cornerstone which the growing Islamic ideology depends on. This general aim serves as an ideological façade that hides behind it a heterogeneous mixture of groups and organizations that differ in strategies, priorities and interpretation of facts. Here we embark on studying the ideological discourse and the shared elements among the upholders
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Studies of political Islam; individuals and groups in a post-Sayyid Qutb context, in a brief review that sheds light upon the thought and historical moments that led to the rise of political Islamic movements on the roof of political activism in the Arab world at the present time. This study gives special importance to subjective factors that have produced extremist religious thought and enabled it to break into public affairs, taking into account objective factors –social, economic and political, which have paved the road for the spread of Jihadist thought. In conclusion, this
study explores the ways by which Islamic thought could be revived with the vision of overcoming the negative impact of some extremist Islamic organizations on public affairs.
By: Azzam Al-Kassir
Determining factors on the formation of cultural identity in the Syrian child:
an ethnographic study of cultural diversity
This study seeks to understand the determining factors that influence the formation of cultural identity in Syrian children. Focusing on family upbringing and education, this study explores the level of influence these factors may have on a Syrian child’s cultural identity, presenting comments and suggestions regarding the issue. The ethnographic conclusion of this study was that cultural influences have more of an impact than family upbringing, and they are as follows: socially acceptable morals, songs that reflect heritage, one’s mother tongue (Arabic or any other language spoken by Syrians, such as Syriac, Armenian, Assyrian or Kurdish), stories and tales that reflect heritage, crafts and haberdashery, and finally wedding and holiday traditions. Cultural influences that had greatest impact in the
context of educational institutions (nurseries and schools) were as follows: cultural variety in school curriculums and teaching activities, instilling in the child feelings of pride for their cultural heritage, instilling sentimental patriotism by emphasising the importance of studying a shared history, teaching children about the various cultures and experiences of other countries, access to a modern curriculum focused on Arabic language, as well as extracurricular activities and participation in national independence days. This study concluded by confirming that the Syrian child links their cultural identity to their mother tongue and an open minded, socially inclusive upbringing by both families and educational institutions. This piece presents the research methodology and foreword to determining factors on the formation of identity, in which the journal will publish forthcoming chapters in future issues.
By: Yasmine Hussein Ayoud Delta-N Journal Summary Edition - June / July 2014
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Studies
Cinema as an expression
for conflicting struggles
While profit is one of the key driving factors of cinematic production, the content of cinematic work is another factor for the right marketing. Like other forms of art, cinema contributes in building and elevating social consciousness. This study discusses the ability of cinema to address and heal a single issue through various lenses, with Arab audiences straining under the effects of that agency today. The primary matter is that every attempt at healing an issue comes from not only a subjective angle that fits with the vision of the director, but also from an angle that is compatible with his or her interests, despite trying to strike a balance between profit and content. This becomes apparent in the three following discussed works. The film ‘The road to Eilat’ tried to use simple descriptive narration and cinematography to appeal to a wide Arab audience. In its whitewashing of the withdrawal of Arab regimes in 1967, the film falls nothing short of melodramatic distortion that borders on fraudulent demagogy after several viewings, for it is a film with one specific aim: deceiving Arab consciousness for the continuation of Arab regimes. The Italian film ‘Life is beautiful’ reflects the two rules of cinema: ‘profit’ and ‘content’ in its use of multifaceted ideological language that addresses different types of audiences, whereas the approach of the film 18
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‘Remaining time’ is one that has rarely been used in Arab cinema. The director attempts to cleverly address the Palestinian cause, yet the language is loaded with symbolism and iconography which may elude the average Arab viewer. The film begins as though a continuation to the film ‘Life is beautiful’ by Roberto Benigni; where the establishment of Israel is the demise of Palestine. Thus, cinema has played a crucial role in the growth of awareness surrounding issues of public affairs; sometimes for better while other times for worse, it can be used as a double edged sword serving whoever uses it. In both cases, it is the Arab viewer that falls victim; victim to a stale state that he or she seeks to change. Will the Arab intellectual movement produce cinema that reflects reality in an engaging way with the Arab viewer? This is subject to and conditional upon its ability to change its reality, which demolishes prevalent consciousness to building a different type of consciousness, because it is reality that dictates consciousness and not the other way around; public consciousness differs in the context of victory as opposed to defeat. This is what explains the intellectual gap that leaves its traces on some cinematic works.
By: Victorious Bayan Shams
Visual Material
By Rami Maki
Angels in times of war Despite the tragedies of war, innocence remains in the eyes of children. This photo was captured in one of the Syrian refugee schools in 2013
Octopus Hug
By Samara Sallam
‘Octopus hug’ is part of a series of pieces titled ‘Asylum’. Imagine the world as a small café, a lone café in which you can smoke. Neither olive oil or wild thyme inside bread. Enough exile for you to understand that love is completely different, and that the body is a vision less complicated and more painful. In the eye of a fish, everything is directed towards you, turning, turning, distancing itself from you in the shape of rings. Your long hands unable to play in vain. When I went to Algeria I stepped upon the scales: one meter sixty, 45 kilograms. There is no difference now in size! I became an animal! An animal that eats voraciously, practices love, loses language, whose identity papers and passport have been stolen from. Moving from house to house as nothing but a vessel. With your new animal that breathes with all the sarcastic energy he can muster. You bend to pick up your creamed coffee. You miss, your hair returns to its natural state under the rain. You smile and hide because even the cats cannot handle him. You no longer hold the camera … an animal cannot hold a camera!
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Visual Material
By Mustapha Dabbas
Persistence ‘Persistence’ was taken in Rukn al-Deen during Eid Al-Fitr in 2012
By Hani Abbas
Triumph ‘Triumph’ was created on a computer in A4 size in 2013
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Visual Material
By Usama Huwayjeh
Smile ‘Smile’ was painted on January 10, 2014. The piece speaks about the search for a ‘smile’ in the faces of Syrian children and how current affairs have contributed to its loss.
By Murhaf Yussef
Lost key ‘Lost key’ was painted in 2002, and was renewed and edited in 2009.
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Visual Material
By Bana Makhus
A story of a fighter ‘A story of fighting’ was captured on December 21, 2013. The image is of a series of photographs that were exhibited about Syrian women titled “You” in 2013.
By Doua Nashar
Displacement This image was captured on August 15, 2013
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Delta-N
A Journal Published by Centre for Thought and Public Affairs, Damascus - London.
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Editor’s Introduction: About Delta-N journal
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Islamic fundamentalism in the Levant
8 12
The role of Syrian women in transitional justice Ingenuity in the midst of pain
The Summary Edition: Vol 1, No 0, June 2014
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The intellectual, the Opposition and public affairs in Syria Between poetry and Facebook
Delta-N: Aim of the Journal Delta-N is a journal published by the Centre for Thought and Public Affairs (Damascus-London). The aim of the journal is to publish materials exploring the relations between Thought and Public Affairs in the Middle East generally, and Syria particularly.
Scope of the Journal The Editorial Board considers the following topics a priority: • The current situation in Syrian and the Middle East, • the modern history of Syria, • challenges of economic and social development in Syria and the region, • cultural criticism in Syria and the region, • political thought in Syria and the region, • science and society, art and society, health and education policies, • reviews of relevant books (published no more than 3 years ago), and • the impact of conflicting ideologies and geopolitics on relations between the countries and societies in the region.
Types of Materials Published by Delta-N The Editorial Board receives four types of submissions: articles, reports, studies, and book reviews. Delta-N also accepts artwork and caricature submissions for its visuals section.
For Submissions Delta-N welcomes submissions in English, Arabic and Kurdish. All submissions, and enquiries about submissions, should be sent to the Editorial Board by emailing: editors@c-tpa.org
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Articles
Studies
- Islamic fundamentalism in the Levant - Mazen Ali - Syrian blogging and the debate of staying connected with reality - Waleed Barkasiyah - Towards establishing a different social consciousness - Imad Al-Abbar - Weddings in the Ukraine and drums in Syria - Riham Kousa - The rentier state in an age of political transformation - Majd Jammoul - The role of Syrian women in transitional justice - Alia Ahmad - The truth ‘is not’ there - Ammar Al-Mamoun
Book Reviews - Literary rhythms on Syrian melodies - Farzand Omar - Democratic transformation... Syria as an example - Abd Al-Haj
- The intellectual, the Opposition and public affairs in Syria Muhammad Dibo - Ghilan Al-Dimashqi in various contexts - Firas Al-Hawat - Between poetry and Facebook - Sulaf Alloush - reading into calls for Shari'a reinstatement - Azzam Al-Kassir - Determining factors on the formation of cultural identity in the Syrian child - Yasmine Hussein Ayoud - Cinema as an expression for conflicting struggles Victorious Bayan Shams
Visual Material - Angels in times of war - Rami Maki - Octopus Hug - Samara Sallam - Persistence - Mustapha Dabbas - Triumph - Hani Abbas - Smile - Usama Huwayjeh
Reports
- Lost key - Murhaf Yusse
- Ingenuity in the midst of pain - Delta-N reporters
- A story of a fighter - Bana Makhus
- Regarding policy research think-tanks - Delta-N reporters
- Displacement - Doua Nashar
Delta-N Centre for Thought and Public Affairs
Delta-N Journal
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Delta-N Journal Summary Edition - June / July 2014