FNVW Special Syria Report

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The uprising in Syria is now beginning its third year. Today, Friends for a Non-Violent World (FNVW) released a special report on the uprising. Titled Then and Now: The Syrian Revolution to Date, A young nonviolent resistance and the ensuing armed struggle, by Dr. Mohja Kahf, this important publication is one of the first to provide an in-depth historical perspective as well as an examination of the composition of the nonviolent, armed and political opposition groups.

Please note that the complete FNVW Syria Special Report can be seen here. Please feel free to share this report widely.

Since 2011, Friends for a Non-Violent World has been supporting Syrian nonviolent organizations and activists in their struggle for freedom, justice, inclusivity and democracy. After 11 months the nonviolent movement was eclipsed, but not eliminated, by armed struggle. The human toll in the revolution against a brutal dictatorial regime continues to be staggering.

"We asked Syrian writer, professor and nonviolent activist, Dr. Mohja Kahf, from the University of Arkansas, to provide us with a deeper understanding of the development and composition of the various components of the Syrian opposition, the current role of nonviolent groups and to address the criticisms that the opposition are pawns or proxies" said Gail Daneker, FNVW director of Peace Education and Advocacy.

"FNVW gratefully acknowledges Dr. Kahf for the work and commitment in the writing of this excellent and thought-provoking report." said Daneker.

In Dr. Kahf's words: "The Syrian uprising sprang from the country's grassroots. . . not seasoned oppositionists . . . . They share, rather than a particular ideology, a generational experience of disenfranchisement and brutalization."

"The voices of the original grassroots revolution of Syria are nonviolent, nonsectarian, noninterventionist, for the fall of the Assad regime, and for the rise of a democratic, human rights upholding Syria that is bound by the rule of law. They are still present in this revolution."

The revolution has shape-shifted since autumn 2011. New organizations have emerged: military groups, political organizations created by expatriates, and more developed grassroots structures inside Syria. Dr. Kahf explores the history and interactions of these groups.

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by: 1.   George Galloway's response

Here's Galloway's response not to the nonviolent faction but to the faction that constitute the violent Syrian jihad: youtu.be/Q9vMCSh6BMQ

Mar 22, 2013 3:37 AM

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