Sofyan Aswad: Sofyan Aswad: ”In life we’re different, but in death we’re all the same”
We studied together at university and graduated together, but just as it is for many people, life separated us.
When the corona pandemic started, we thought more than usual about our near ones and dear ones everywhere.
Ahmad worked as press spokesman for a big company in China. I didn’t know that he was in the town where the epidemic started. I tried to phone him as fast as I could, but I couldn’t get through. He was in quarantine for two weeks. Everyone thought he was infected, he himself thought that he would soon die.
After his time in quarantine he was able to return home. And that’s when I made contact with him.
How are you? Are things all right with you?
”In life we’re different, but in death we’re all the same!”
We talked for a long time about the disease, about his time in quarantine, and what he had seen. Scenes like the terrible days in 2013 when the Assad regime bombed the Ghouta area which was not under his control.
”I was afraid to show people the whole truth”Sofyan Sswad
He killed people with chemical weapons in what became known as ”the gassing of Ghouta”.
During these days I worked as a war correspondent for a TV channel which had as its motto ”accuracy and credibility”. But I was afraid to show people the whole truth.
The Assad regime has killed many more people than the corona virus. The world watched the report which documented the bombing, but did nothing.
When my friend said to me that we are all the same in death, it made me think about how men, women and children were suffocated in the poison gas attack in Ghouta.
”I wish that the whole world could get together to stop the killing in Syria and come up with a vaccine to combat the virus”Sofyan Aswad
How bodies filled the streets. There were too many dead to be properly buried, just as it is now in Italy, Spain, Iran and other countries. The armies of the world are out on the streets to confront corona.
But there is one question that has no answer. My friend’s 13-year-old daughter asked me, ’Why doesn’t the world get together to stop the killing in Syria, just as they have got together to stop the virus?’
I wish that the whole world could get together to stop the killing in Syria and come up with a vaccine to combat the virus.
”The sun will rise again, the Italian piazzas and fotball arenas will be filled with people. We will hear hymns in the churches in Rome and pilgrims will be able to pray in Mecca again”Sofyan Aswad
In Sweden there are a considerable number of cases, and several deaths. Naturally we trust our public authorities and the solutions offered by the government.
But we, every single one of us, must do out utmost to stop the virus from spreading.
Our hearts are with all the people in countries that are suffering badly. The economy is endangered, and no improvement is in sight. But we can still fight this epidemic as long as we are able.
The sun will rise again, the Italian piazzas and fotball arenas will be filled with people. We will hear hymns in the churches in Rome and pilgrims will be able to pray in Mecca again.
One day the virus will die out. We as humans will live on.
